Some Raids and Operations 1940-42

French Coast - Operation Collar

Date commenced: 
Monday, June 24, 1940

A raid on Boulogne Berek 24/25 June 1940

Guernsey - Operation Ambassador

Date commenced: 
Sunday, July 14, 1940

Raid on Guernsey

'Kastellorizo - Operation Abstention'

Date commenced: 
Tuesday, February 25, 1941

Allied operation from 25 to 28 February 1941 on the enemy occupied Greek island of Kastellorizo (or Castellorizo). 

Tip: click on 'What Links Here' above for more.

'Lofoten Islands - Operation Claymore'

Date commenced: 
Tuesday, March 4, 1941

The Force consisted of Nos. 3 and 4 Commando, approximately 50 Royal Engineers, and a group from the Free Norwegian Forces. They were transported on board two converted ships, the Princess Beatrix and the Queen Emma, now loaded with LCA's or Landing Craft Assault vessels. Leaving from, and returning to Scapa Flow, they were escorted by 5 Royal Navy destroyers.

Report by Brigadier J.C.Haydon, D.S.O., O.B.E., Commanding Special Service Brigade [more....].

Bardia - Operation Addition

Date commenced: 
Saturday, April 19, 1941

The objective was to disrupt enemy lines of communication and damage installations and equipment.

'Rearguard action on Crete'

Date commenced: 
Monday, May 26, 1941

26th - 31st May 1941. The Commandos were No.7 Commando, and 'D' Bn Layforce which was formed by the amalgamation of No. 50 and 52 (M.E.) Commandos.

These two units landed in Crete at SUDA BAY on May 26th, 1941. Withdrawal from the island had already been decided upon. The Commandos, together with 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion, were given the task of covering the withdrawal of the main body - the N.Z. Division - from the area CANEA - SUDA BAY, to an embarkation port at SPHAKIA, on the south coast of the island. The route followed the road from SUDA BAY on the north coast through STYLOS - BABALI HANI and ASKIFOU to SPHAKIA on the south. Distance roughly 40 miles by road.

During the withdrawal the main Commando actions both took place on May 28th. Early in the morning, near STYLOS, counter attacks by 7 Commando beat off determined German attempts to cut the road of retreat and allowed the tail of the main body to get clear.

Later at BABALI HANI, some 5 miles further south, M.E. Commandos had taken up a defensive position astride the main road, repulsed two separate German attacks at noon and later about 15.00 hours. They held this position until dark, before withdrawing under orders about 20.00hrs.

Source
Commando Association Newsletter 83 of September 1986. Account of a visit by Veterans.
 
Linked content: 

Sketch map of Crete, August 1941.

Sketch map of Crete, August 1941. National Archives ref:  AIR 23/6110.

'French Coast - Operation Foxrock'

Date commenced: 
Sunday, May 31, 1942

Night of 31st May/1st June. This was a planned operation by 100 men from No 12 Commando at St Valery en Caux which was aborted after the raiding party were spotted by German naval  forces.

12 Commando Troop Locations Operation Foxrock June 1942

Type: Files
Author: John Mewett
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: 12 Commando Operation Foxrock Troop Locations June 1942

Sheet indicating Troop locations 1st-30th June 1942 12 Commando

National Archives Document Ref WO218/41

Litani River - Operation Exporter

Date commenced: 
Sunday, June 8, 1941
Units: 

The original objective assigned to C Battalion "Layforce" (11 Scottish Commando) was to land on two beaches to the north of the River Litani and one to the south, seize and hold the Qasmiye bridge over it until relieved by 21 Australian Infantry Brigade.
Heavy sea swell and the risk of capsizing their landing craft, resulted in the first attempt being aborted in clear view of the enemy. A second attempt to land was carried out the following night. Delays during embarkation result in the landing craft reaching the beach with day light breaking and heavy losses. Despite being out numbered and suffering incredible misfortune and difficulties the Commando was able to hold the line long enough for the Australians to cross the river and continue with their advance to Beirut. 
However their bravery was not without loss; of the 406 men that landed 130 were killed or wounded in nearly 29 hours of fighting, for which they only had enough ammunition and food to last eight. The death of the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Dick Pedder, and so many others was disastrous for the unit and a situation from which it would never fully recover.
 
Ian McHarg provides some comprehensive background information on The Battle of the Litani River and the battle fought by No.11 (Scottish) Commando during Operation Exporter. His book is available via his website [here....].
 

French Coast - Operation Chess

Date commenced: 
Sunday, July 27, 1941
Units: 

A raid on Ambleteuse, Pas de Calais, by a small party from No 12 Commando.

'Messina to Palermo railway raid'

Date commenced: 
Friday, August 29, 1941
Units: 
On the night of 29th/30th August, 1941, a small party of Commandos, led by Lt. Dudley Schofield, landed from the submarine 'Triumph' of the 10th Submarine Flotilla (operating from Malta), and successfully demolished one and a half spans of a bridge about 55 miles East of Palermo carrying the main Messina to Palermo Railway.  
 

Log Book HMS Triumph 30 Aug.1941

Between 0049-0113 hrs HMS Triumph launched 9 canoes (with 13 saboteurs led by Lt.Schofield) off Torrente Furiano to destroy the railway bridge there (there was 1 single canoe and 4 towing canoes, 4 others with demolitions and stores).
 
There are then other entries in the log not related to raid.
0320 hrs -  Saw one explosion in direction of the bridge.
0340 hrs - Stopped one mile off the shore and drifted in with the tide to half a mile. It was not before 0507 hrs before one of the canoes and its tow was identified to the seaward of Triumph. They were quickly picked up. A second canoe and tow was spotted at 0527 hrs. No more canoes were sighted after this time. Triumph had to clear the area as it was getting light. The railway bridge was seen to be partially destroyed. The remainder of the raiding party could not be picked up. Eight saboteurs including Lt. Schofield were captured by the Italians. [Source of above log book entry] https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3488.html
 
The following Commandos took part and were taken prisoner (click on names highlighted).
 
Cpl. H. Davies, London Scottish

A ninth man, Petty Officer Thomas Telfer, D.S.M., a member of the crew of the submarine, volunteered to go ashore with the Commandos. He was later captured and imprisoned along with the others. He was recommended for, and received, a bar to his D.S.M. In 1945 it was announced in Gazettes that, having been earlier released and repatriated, he had additionally been awarded a Mention in Despatches for  courage, efficiency and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Submarines in aggressive operations against Japanese shipping, often performed in shallow waters and in the face of serious opposition.
 
Sources
DSM - London Gazettes Supp. 35424, page 340.
Bar to DSM - London Gazettes Supp. 35545, page 1957.
MiD - London Gazettes Supp. 37394, page 6157.

Additional Sources
National Archives and LG references shown in bios on highlighted individuals above
Some of the names in Commando Association newsletter 86 of March 1988 referring to the raid.
 

French Coast - Operation Chopper

Date commenced: 
Sunday, September 28, 1941
Units: 

Sixty five commandos of 5 Troop No1 Commando took part in twin raids against the coast of Northern France, code named Operations Chopper and Deepcut.

One section led by Captain Tom Hemmimg landed at Luc sur Mer (Chopper) and suffered a number of casualties including two killed, Pte. Elwyn Edwards and LCpl Cyril Evans.  

The other section led by Lieut. Scaramanga  landed at St Vaast Bay (Deepcut) and ambushed a German cycle patrol.

Post war visit to Luc sur Mer

An extract from Commando Association newsletter 15 issued March 1952 regarding Operation Chopper.

"Capt. T. Gordon Hemming (ex 1 & 2 Cdos) decided last summer to revisit the scene of a raid made by a section of  5 Tp. l Cdo on September 23rd, 1941, supposedly at St. Aubin-sur-mur. He saw the Mayor with a view to establishing the exact place of landing, but discovered after many enquiries that in fact the landing had taken place two towns to the east, at a place called Luc-sur-mer almost two miles from St. Aubin.

On interviewing the Mayor of Luc the Captain was treated with great friendship and given an official reception. He found that all the inhabitants remembered the night very well, and have erected a large Memorial Stone inscribed with the words "The First Commando Landing in Normandy".

It was also discovered that the graves of the two men lost on the raid, L/Cpl. Evans [view record] and Fus. Edwards [view record], were beautifully tended in the local cemetery."

'Rommel HQ - Operation Flipper'

Date commenced: 
Friday, November 14, 1941

The raiding party landed 14 November. The attack on Rommel's HQ by units from Layforce took place 17 November. The raiding party included a group from No 11 Commando (see What Links Here above) led by Lt Col Keyes supported by others, including two from No 7 Cdo who had escaped from Crete, Sgt Fred Birch (No 7 Cdo & 51ME Cdo) and Cpl John Kerr (No 7 and 51ME Commando)

Article about No.11 Commandos' Beattie and Murray

Beattie and Murray No.11 Commandos
Published in the Aberdeen Weekly Journal 22 January 1942.

French Coast - Operation Sunstar

Date commenced: 
Sunday, November 23, 1941
Units: 

A raid on the French coast.

‘Norway - Operation Anklet’

Date commenced: 
Friday, December 26, 1941
Units: 

300 men from No 12 Commando, and some from the Royal Norwegian Army, landed on the Lofoten Islands about 300 miles North of Vaagso. Since the first Lofoten raid in March such operations were seen as a useful tactic to confuse the enemy and consequently divert enemy forces for future defence.

'Vaagso - Operation Archery'

Date commenced: 
Saturday, December 27, 1941

Vaagso Norway

A raid on Vaagso and Maaloy to destroy fish oil factories and sink enemy shipping. No.3 Commando were supported by 2 troops of No.2 Commando (less 1 Section), with a RAMC detachment from No.4 Commando and a RE detachment from No.6 Commando, and some from the Royal Norwegian Army.

A Return to Vaagso

Extract from Commando Association newsletter 11
Published September 1950.
RETURN TO VAAGSO
Members will be interested to learn that a party of approxiimately 75 R.M. officers recently carried out a training exercise in the Vaagso area in Norway. 
In addition to Col. J. Moulton, D.S.O., O.B.E., and Lt.-Col. Palmer, D.S.O., Royal Marine officers well known to us, the following Army Commando officers were invited to accompany the party: Lt.-Col. Jack Churchill, D.S.O., M.C., Capt. Dennis O'Flaherty, D.S.O., and.Lt.-Col. Arthur Komrower, D.S.O., who has been kind enough to send us a very interesting account of the proceedings.
"We embarked on H.M.S. 'Suvla,' an L.C.T., at Rosyth on Thursday, May 18th. The idea of the trip was to study beforehand the information about Vaagso and then to work out a plan and to see how it would have fitted in with the ground, on the spot.
We arrived off West Fjord early on Saturday morning and then turned in to guard the Fjord. This was the only part of the crossing which was at all rough, and even then it bore no resemblance to the buffeting we got in '41.
The passage charted on the map was to go round the Island to the North and go in from the East side, but at the request of the Army Officers, the Ship's Captain agreed to use the same channel as we used previously. However, as we were approaching the island of Maaloy we suddenly found that the channel between this island and South Vaagso had been brdiged and we had to 'about turn' and go the other route.
On arrival we were met by Capt. Harald Madsen, who was the Norwegian Pilot of the 'Kenya' on the original raid and who accompanied us on the voyage. The people all seemed very pleased to see us and bore no grudge for the damage done in the raid.
The 'Ulversund Hotel' showed only the foundations of the building, but the 'Hazen Hotel' had been completely rebuilt in stone and brick and is now a very fine place. The Factory opposite the , Ulversund ' had also been rebuilt with a block of shops and flats by its side.
When walking down the street, Dennis O'Flaherty was hailed by a young fellow who turned out to be the son of one of the inhabitants in whose house Dennis had a fight with a German. The father had recognized him through the window.
We also came across a lady who had looked after Lt. M. Hall, who lost his arm in this raid, until he was picked up by our own stretcher bearers.
There are many more interesting points related in Col. Komrower's report, but we regret to say that lack of space prevents us from printing these.
Copies of the full report have been duplicated, and will gladly be supplied to all members desiring these.

Notes 
If anyone has a copy of Colonel Komrower's full account please contact the website team.
 

'St. Nazaire - Operation Chariot'

Date commenced: 
Saturday, March 28, 1942
MGB 314

St Nazaire, France

A Combined Operations raid on the dry dock at St Nazaire, France. The force consisted of Army Commandos led by No.2 Commando who were supported by small detachments from Nos 1, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 12 Commandos.
The Force embarked on craft manned by Royal Navy personnel. The Naval Force carrying the Army Commandos consisted of HMS Campbeltown which, packed with hidden explosives, rammed the dock gates after which the Commandos stormed ashore. HMS Campbeltown was followed by a fleet of 18 smaller vessels, most carrying commando demolition teams and their protection squads.
The Commandos succeeded in demolishing much of the infrastructure of the dock operating mechanism, and the undiscovered explosives on HMS Campbeltown later detonated causing severe damage to the dock and its gates.

Great gallantry was displayed by the raiders and there were many casualties amongst the Commando and Naval personnel. The following were awarded the Victoria Cross, the United Kingdom's highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of the enemy:



Linked content: 

‘Commando Roll of Honour St Nazaire’

On Wednesday 1st April 1942 a ceremonial funeral was held to inter the dead from both sides, in a field at Escoublac, near to the German Naval HQ. The prisoners were invited to send a party to attend. Lt. Hopwood, Sgt Colin Jones and Pte. Les Wheelan represented 5 Troop, No.2 Commando and the Liverpool Scottish. Some photos of individuals killed during the raid can be found in the Commando Units Albums. View the images of the funeral in our Gallery. [go to gallery]

 

No 2 Commando

Pte. M.D.Aird Pte. J.E.H. Gwynne RSM. A. Moss
Capt. D.L. Birney LSgt. P. Harkness Pte. A.W. Neal
LCpl. E.J. Bryan LSgt. M. Harrison LCpl. K.A. Paterson
Rfn. R.E.D. Burns LCpl. W. Hay Lieut. T.G.P. Peyton
LCpl. J. Coughlan LCpl. W.B. Heather Rfn. T.Y. Roach
Pte. H.P. Cunningham Sgt. S. Hempstead Gdsm. S. Robinson
Pte. T. Diamond Capt. E.S. Hodgson Cpl. W.A. Spaul
LCpl. J. Donaldson LCpl. G.H. Hudson Sgt. G. Taylor
Sgt. L.F. Eldridge 2/Lieut. M.  Jenkins Cpl. R.M. Tomsett
Cpl. N.L. Fisher Pte. F. Kelly Lieut. J.E. Vanderwerve
LCpl. H.F. Fowler Gdsm. J.F. Lewis Gdsm. G.W. Walton
LCpl. A.E. Garratt Fus. A.J. Lucy Lieut. P. Walton
LSgt. W. Gibson LCpl.H. Mather Fus. R.S.Woodman
Fus. L.G.W. Goss Pte. J. Maylott
 
Gdsm. W.E. Grose Pte. T. McCormack  

No 1 Commando

Sgt. T.F. Durrant
Cpl. F. Llewellyn
Pte. E.C. Tomblin
 

No. 3 Commando  

Lieut.  M. Woodcock
Pte. J.D. Boyce
 

No. 4 Commando

Capt. H.H. Pennington
L/Cpl. R.B.J. Borgman
Spr. G. Coulson
 

No. 5 Commando

Lieut. C.J.  Smalley
Lieut. R.J.G. Burtinshaw
Sgt. R. Beveridge
Sgt. W. Ferguson
Sgt. G.E. Ide
L/Sgt. B.L.  Johnson
L/Cpl. G.S. Stokes
 

No. 9 Commando

L/Sgt. R.E. Jameson
Cpl. J. Deans
L/Cpl. L. Burgess
L/Cpl. R. Duncan
Pte. J. Shenton
 

No. 12 Commando

Cpl. A.H. Blount
Cpl. S.E. Chetwynd
Cpl. H.H.  Jones.
 

Special Service Brigade HQ

Lieut. (T/Capt) W.H. Pritchard
 

 
Displaying 1 - 67 of 67

AIRD, Michael Derrick

Michael Aird  2 Commando
Private
3772603
No 2 Commando
Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Michael Aird, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave.

BEVERIDGE, Robert

Sergeant
4534228
No 5 Commando
West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Robert Beveridge, from Leeds, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He was one of the commando contingent who had embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown.

BIRNEY, David Leslie

Captain
75991
No 2 Commando
Rifle Brigade
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain David Birney, Officer Commanding 2 troop, died of wounds after Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire which took place on 28 March 1942*. He was commanding an assault group that had embarked on Motor Launch ML 447. 

BLOUNT, Arthur Harvey

Corporal
3972221
No 12 Commando
South Wales Borderers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Arthur Blount was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Arthur was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown. Son of Charles George Blount, and of Annie Blount, of Morden, Surrey.

BORGMAN, Robert Bernard John

Lance Corporal
7911119
No 4 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Robert Borgman was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave.

BOYCE, John Douglas

Private
5952406
No 3 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private John Boyce was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on ML 262.
Son of William and Elizabeth Ann Boyce, of Tonypandy, Glamorgan.
 
Sources

BRYAN, Edward Joseph

Bryan 2 Commando
Lance Corporal
3775300
No 2 Commando
King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Edward Bryan, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He has no known grave.
Son of Adam and Mary Bryan; husband of D. M. Bryan.

BURGESS, Leslie

Lance Corporal
1877628
No 9 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Leslie Burgess was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave.

BURNS, Ronald Edward David

Rifleman
6895664
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Rifleman Ronald Burns, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on ML 268.
Son of Edward and Alice Janet Burns, of Brockley, London.
 

BURTINSHAW, Robert James Glover

Lieutenant
89395
No 5 Commando
Cheshire Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Robert Burtinshaw was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Mentioned in Despatches (posthumous) for gallant and distinguished service.

CHETWYND, Samuel Ernest

Corporal
4977274
No 12 Commando
Sherwood Forresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Samuel Chetwynd was reported missing 28 March 1942 after operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 457 as part of Captain Pritchard's Demolition Control Party and has no known grave. Son of Mr. and Mrs.

COUGHLAN, John

John Coughlan 2 Commando
Lance Corporal
3781807
No 2 Commando
King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal John Coughlan, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He has no known grave.

COULSON, Garnett

Sapper
1881715
No 4 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sapper Garnett Coulson was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He embarked for the raid on ML 268 and has no known grave. Son of Garnett and Faith Coulson, of Romford, Essex.
Service

CUNNINGHAM, Henry Peter

Henry Cunningham 2 Commando
Private
3781746
No 2 Commando
King's Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Henry Cunningham, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He embarked for the raid on ML 267 and has no known grave. Son of John and Margaret Cunningham, of Old Swan, Liverpool.

DEANS, James

Corporal
2079518
No 9 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal James Deans was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, confirmed 14 months later as killed in action on that date. He embarked for the raid on ML 457 and was the husband of Mrs A. Deans, 4 Albert Street, Paisley.

DIAMOND, Thomas

Private
3779240
No 2 Commando
Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas Diamond, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. 

DONALDSON, John

Lance Corporal John Donaldson 2 Commando
Lance Corporal
2884838
No 2 Commando
London Scottish The Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal John Donaldson, 3 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed died of wounds. He has no known grave. Son of William Donaldson and of Jessie Donaldson (nee Hunter); husband of Anne Donaldson (nee Smith), of Dundee.

DUNCAN, Ronald

Lance Corporal
2032723
No 9 Commando
Royal Engineers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Ronald Duncan was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. Son of James W. Duncan and Elisabeth R. Duncan, of Aberdeen. They were formally notified of his death on 2 April 1943.

ELDRIDGE, Leonard Frederick

Leonard Eldridge 2 Commando
Sergeant
6461633
No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Leonard Eldridge, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 447 and has no known grave.

FERGUSON, William

Sergeant
1426074
No 5 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant William Ferguson was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action.

FISHER, Norman Lucas

Corporal
6896443
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Norman Fisher, 6 troop, died on 25 April 1942 of wounds received on 28 March 1942 during Operation Chariot, the raid at St Nazaire. He was one of the commando contingent on motor launch ML 192 and had initially been reported as missing in action until his death was confirmed.

FOWLER, Henry Francis

Lance Corporal
6019554
No 2 Commando
Essex Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Henry Fowler, 2 Troop, died on 24 January 1943 of wounds received during Operation Chariot in March 1942. Son of Thomas Francis and Elizabeth Fowler, of Canning Town; husband of Alice Ada Fowler, of Canning Town [1][2][3][4].

GARRATT, Arthur Ernest

Lance Corporal
5338655
No 2 Commando
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Arthur Garratt, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447. Son of Matilda Garratt, of Islington, London.
 
Sources

GIBSON, William

Lance Sergeant
2879864
No 2 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant William Gibson, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave. 

GOSS, Leonard George William

Fusilier
6459167
No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Leonard Goss, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192 and has no known grave. Son of Leonard Butcher Goss and L. Goss, of Brixton, London.
 

GROSE, William Ernest

Guardsman
2617390
No 2 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman William Grose, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447 and has no known grave. Son of Ernest Albert Grose, and of Agnes Grose, of Welling, Kent.

GWYNNE, John Edward Herbert

Private
2929834
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Liverpool Scottish, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private John Gwynne, 5 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action [1][1a]. Embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown and received a posthumous Mention in Despatches [2][3].

HARKNESS, Peter

Lance Sergeant
2879689
No 2 Commando
Gordon Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Peter Harkness was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. Son of Peter and Catherine Ann Harkness.

HARRISON, Maurice

Lance Sergeant
6896247
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Maurice Harrison, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192.
Son of Samuel G. and Maud A. Harrison, of Streatham, London.
 

HAY, William

Lance Corporal
325315
No 2 Commando
Royal Armoured Corps
Lanarkshire Yeomanry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal William Hay was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Son of Thomas and Margaret Hay, of Carluke, Lanarkshire.

HEATHER, William Bernard

Lance Corporal
6400817
No 2 Commando
Royal Sussex Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal William Heather, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447 and has no known grave. Son of William and Harriette Heather.
 

HEMPSTEAD, Stanley

Sergeant
6014969
No 2 Commando
Essex Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Stanley Hempstead, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 262. Son of Frank Hempstead and Marion (nee Barnard).

HODGSON, Eric Stewart

Captain
75234
No 2 Commando
Hertfordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain Eric Hodgson, Officer Commanding 1 troop, was reported missing believed killed 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He was in charge of the commandos on motor launch ML 446 and has no known grave.

HUDSON, George Herbert

Lance Corporal
6896827
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal George Hudson, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action.  He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268.
 
Sources
CWGC.

IDE, George Edward

Sergeant
2321335
No 5 Commando
Royal Corps of Signals
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant George Ide was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown. 
Son of Herbert Edward and Edith Ann Ide, of Romford, Essex; husband of O. M. Ide.
 

JAMESON, Robert Evan

Lance Sergeant
821516
No 9 Commando
Royal Artillery
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Robert Evan Jameson, from Virginia, County Cavan, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown and has no known grave.
 
Sources

JOHNSON, Bertie Lawrence

Lance Sergeant
3531584
No 5 Commando
Manchester Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Sergeant Bertie Johnson was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Lawrence Johnson, of Stockport, Cheshire.
 

JONES, Harri Havard

Corporal
3962759
No 12 Commando
Welch Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Harri Harvard Jones was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. Corporal Jones was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268. He has no known grave.

KELLY, Francis

Private
4467369
No 2 Commando
Border Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Francis Kelly, from Dovecot, Liverpool, was reported missing on 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later presumed died of wounds. Son of Joseph and Mary Kelly, of Liverpool.

LEWIS, John Frederick

Guardsman
2617158
No 2 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman John Lewis, 2 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447 and has no known grave.

LLEWELLYN, Fred

Corporal Fred Llewellyn 1 Commando
Corporal
4036505
No 1 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Fred Llewellyn was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He was part of a demolition team who embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 306.

Son of Tom and Elizabeth Llewellyn, of Worcester.

LUCY, Albert James

Fusilier
6461459
No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Albert Lucy, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192.
Son of Albert Edward and Lily Minnie Lucy, of Kentish Town, London.
 

MATHER, Harry

Lance Corporal
3656822
No 2 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Harry Mather, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He had embarked for the raid on ML 268. Son of Charles Baron Mather and Mary Elizabeth Mather, of Bolton, Lancashire.
 

MAYLOTT, Jesse

Jesse Maylott 2 Commando
Private
3654748
No 2 Commando
South Lancashire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Jesse Maylott, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He has no known grave. Son of Jesse Maylott, and of Alice Maylott, of Orford, Warrington, Lancashire.

MCCORMACK, Thomas

Thomas McCormack
Tom McCormack 2 Commando
Private
2930404
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Liverpool Scottish Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Thomas McCormack, 5 troop No 2 Commando, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St. Nazaire, later confirmed as having died on 11 April 1942 of wounds received during the raid.

MOSS, Alan

WO1 Regimental Sergeant Major
2930992
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Liverpool Scottish Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Regimental Sergeant Major Alan Moss, HQ 2 Commando, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea after being shot. He embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 267 and received a posthumous Mention in Despatches.

NEAL, Alfred William

Private
7349551
No 2 Commando
Royal Army Medical Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Alfred Neal, RAMC attached No.2 Commando, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447 and has no known grave.

PATERSON, Kenneth Albert

Lance Corporal
5442424
No 2 Commando
Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal Kenneth Paterson was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He has no known grave. Son of Albert Edward and Henrietta Jane Paterson, of Bristol.

PENNINGTON, Harold Hammond

Capt Pennington 4 Commando
Captain
130871
2192204
No 4 Commando
Hampshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds

Captain Harold Pennington was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268.
B.A. (Oxon.), Kitchener Scholar, and Rugby Football Blue (1937).

PEYTON, Thomas Grenville Pitt

Lieutenant
112912
No 2 Commando
No 5 Independent Company
Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Thomas Peyton, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He has no known grave. Son of Ivor Eliot Peyton and Dorothy Helen Peyton, of Englemere Wood, Berkshire.

PRITCHARD, William Henry

Captain William Pritchard RE
Lieutenant (Temporary Captain)
76488
Special Service Brigade
No 2 Commando
Royal Engineers
Military Cross (MC)
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Captain William Pritchard MC was reported missing 28 March 1942 after the St. Nazaire raid (Operation Chariot), later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 457.

ROACH, Thomas Ypres

Rifleman
6849064
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Rifleman Thomas Roach, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 177. Son of Lewis and Winifred Roach, of Caerau, Bridgend, Glamorgan.
 
Sources

ROBINSON, Sydney

Guardsman
2619196
No 2 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman Sydney Robinson, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave.
 

SHENTON, Joseph

Private
5046468
No 9 Commando
King's Shropshire Light Infantry
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Joseph Shenton was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 268 and has no known grave.

SMALLEY, Christopher John

Christopher John Smalley 5 Commando
Lieutenant
92876
No 5 Commando
Manchester Regiment
Mentioned in Despatches
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Christopher Smalley died during Operation Chariot at St Nazaire. Embarking on HMS Campbeltown he commanded a demolition party whose task it was to destroy the Dry Dock Installations. Mentioned in Despatches (posthumous) for gallant and distinguished service.

SPAUL, William Albert

Corporal
6088619
No 2 Commando
The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal William Spaul, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192. Son of Albert Spaul, and of Isabel Spaul, of Aldershot, Hampshire.
 

STOKES, George Stanley

Lance Corporal
5186568
No 5 Commando
Royal Welch Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lance Corporal George Stokes was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on HMS Campbeltown, part of Lt Burtinshaw's demolition party.

TAYLOR, Gerald

Sergeant
7598084
No 2 Commando
Royal Army Ordnance Corps
Killed in action or died of wounds
Sergeant Gerald Taylor, HQ Reserve, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 267 which was hit by enemy fire and sank.

TOMBLIN, Edward Charles

Private
6144878
No 1 Commando
East Surrey Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Private Edward Tomblin was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on Motor Launch ML 306.
Son of Frank and Mary Ellen Tomblin; husband of Eleanor Margaret Tomblin, of Wandsworth, London.

TOMSETT, Reginald Maurice

Corporal
6896917
No 2 Commando
King's Royal Rifle Corps (11th Bn)
(1st Bn. Queen's Westminsters)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Corporal Reginald Tomsett, 6 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. Embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192. Son of Maurice Jeffery Tomsett and Edith Sarah Tomsett, of Shirley, Croydon.
 

VANDERWERVE, John Edward

John Vanderwerve 2 Commando
Lieutenant
117921
No 2 Commando
No 4 Independent Company
Kings Regiment (Liverpool)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant John Vanderwerve, 4 troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He was officer in charge of a protection squad for a demolition team embarked on motor launch ML 306.

WALTON, George William

Guardsman
2618526
No 2 Commando
Grenadier Guards
Killed in action or died of wounds
Guardsman George Walton, 2 troop, was reported missing on 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later confirmed killed in action. He embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 447. Son of George William and Doris Olive Walton, of New Mills, Derbyshire.

WALTON, Philip

Lieut. Philip Walton No 2 Commando
Lieutenant
104117
No 2 Commando
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment
Killed in action or died of wounds
Lieutenant Philip Walton, 1 Troop, was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire. Section Officer of a demolition team embarked on Motor Launch ML 457.
Son of C.P. and Evelyn Walton, of Bedford. B.A. (Cantab.): Christ's College.
 

WOODCOCK, Mark

Lieutenant
138278
No 3 Commando
Lancashire Fusiliers
Killed in action or died of wounds

Lieutenant Mark Woodcock was reported missing 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action at sea. He has no known grave. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Woodcock of Howbeck Road, Birkenhead.

WOODMAN, Robert Salonicka

Fusilier
6467448
No 2 Commando
Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
Killed in action or died of wounds
Fusilier Robert Woodman, 6 troop, was reported missing on 28 March 1942 after Operation Chariot at St Nazaire, later presumed killed in action. He had embarked for the raid on motor launch ML 192 and has no known grave. Son of Mrs. A. Woodman, of Battersea, London.
 

'Operation Chariot' - Battle Summary 12

A booklet published in 1948 by the Tactical and Staff Duties Division (Historical Section), Naval Staff, Admiralty, SW1, covering aspects of the British Combined Operations raid at St Nazaire in March 1942 involving the Royal Navy and British Army Commandos.

Follow the link below to this (Battle Summary 12) and other Battle Summaries on the Royal Australian Navy website - World War 2 Naval Staff Histories Section

https://www.navy.gov.au/media-room/publications/wwii-naval-staff-histories

2 Commando, Operation Chariot Op Order 1

Type: Files
Author: Lt Col Augustus Charles Newman OC No 2 Commando, 22nd March 1942
Year of Publishing: 2015
Keywords: St Nazaire, Operation Chariot
Units: 
2 Commando

LG report on Operation Chariot

The following link takes you to reports about the raid at St. Nazaire published in London Gazettes on Thursday 2nd October 1947.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38086/

Title: Supplement to the London Gazette of Tuesday, the 3Oth of September, 1947.

French Coast - Operation Myrmidon

Date commenced: 
Saturday, April 4, 1942
Abortive raid, River Ardour, Southern France. Some of the objectives of the operation were the coast defence guns at the entrance to the river, a T.N.T. factory, and a small aircraft factory, in addition to the  the port facilities. The original plan was for the expedition to sail on the 31st March and to assault on the night 4/5 April.
 
Source
War Cabinet Chiefs of Staff Committee (C.O.S. 42 99th Meeting) document reference National Archives file CAB/79/87/5.

 

Hardelot - Operation Abercrombie

Date commenced: 
Tuesday, April 21, 1942
Units: 

 This operation was a reconnaissance operation by No 4 Commando on the beaches near the village of Hardelot, to capture prisoners and destroy equipment, including a searchlight battery.

Madagascar - Operation Ironclad

Date commenced: 
Tuesday, May 5, 1942
Units: 

Combined operation by Allied forces to invade Madagascar.  On 23 March '42, No 5 Commando set sail from Glasgow to participate in the Battle for Madagascar.

No 5 Commando landed near Diego Suarez  (also known as Antsiranana) on the 5th May 1942.  

The total campaign lasted 6 months but the bulk of the special work of Combined Operations and the Commandos was concentrated into a few days in early May 1942.

A full report of this operation can be found in London Gazettes [view....].

French coast - Operation Bristle

Date commenced: 
Wednesday, June 3, 1942

Dieppe - Operation Jubilee

Date commenced: 
Wednesday, August 19, 1942

Combined Allied Force from all three Services. The Commandos had specific tasks outlined below in support of the main allied Force. The photo above and below show Commandos returning from the raid.

Operation Flodden - Berneval 
No. 3 Commando (including some 10 Cdo. Free French) was to land eight miles east of Dieppe to assault and silence the coastal battery near Berneval.
 
Operation Cauldron - Varengeville 
No. 4 Commando (including some 10 Cdo. Free French and U.S. Rangers) landed a few miles west of Dieppe to assault and silence the coastal battery close to Varengeville.
 
Harbour area
40RM Commando were assigned to assault and secure the harbour area.  
 
Dieppe Commandos

Whilst No 4 Commando succeeded in their objective, No 3 Commando came under heavy fire managing only to pin down the battery making it ineffective during the main assault, rather than destroy it.  
 
The initial assignment/role of 40RM Commando was changed during the action. The RM Commando were placed at the disposal of the Canadian GOC, Major General Roberts. After passing through White beach, they were to join the Essex Scottish, believed to be in the town. As the first of 40RM Commando landed they came under withering enemy fire and were ordered to re-embark within 10 minutes of landing.
 
The main assault failed and the Allies, particularly the Canadian Forces, suffered heavy casualties. The names of the Fallen below relate only to Commandos, and those who were attached to a Commando unit specifically for this raid.
 

Follow this link for a partial Nominal Roll of Commandos at Dieppe. (This excludes No 3 Commando and 40RM Commando as no such full list has been found however some additional names can be found by clicking on 'What Links Here' at top of this page.)
 

Dieppe Commando Roll of Honour
 
Here is an alternative view of this Roll of Honour [View .......].

 

No.3 Commando 

Sapper Rex Adderley, 
Private Andrew Anderson 
Private Cyril Barrett 
Private John Bryan 
Private Fred Broadbent 
Private John Broster 
Gunner George Cooper 
Captain Samuel Corry
Private Douglas Fisher 
Corporal Thomas Gerrard 
Private Ernest Harding 
Lance Corporal Richard Harding 
Private Norman Harrison 
Private Leonard Jackman 
Lieutenant Peter Kenward 
Private John Lacey 
Private Edward Leddington 
Lance Sergeant Joseph Mills 
Lance Corporal Leslie Newell 
Fusilier Ernest Pickersgill 
Private Francis Rhodes 
Fusilier Thomas Sharp 
Sergeant Fred Teasdale
Gunner Hubert Wadsworth
Gunner William Wall 

 

No.4 Commando 

Lance Corporal John Bishop 
Private William Garthwaite 
Private Frederick Gooch 
Lance Corporal Edward Heckman 
Lance Corporal James Keenan 
Lieutenant John Macdonald 
Private Stanley McGann
Lance Corporal Duncan Thompson Mercer
Lance Corporal Alexander Mills 
Lance Corporal John Moss ( served as Taylor) 
Captain Roger Pettiward 
Private George Sutton 
Signalman George Tucker 
Rifleman Joseph Watters 
Lance Corporal John Whatley 
Guardsman Jack Whittaker 
 

No. 40 Royal Marine Commando 

Marine John Alexander 
Sergeant Jack Beesley 
Marine Arthur Callow 
Marine John Catterall 
Captain Alan Comyn 
Corporal Alfred Duerden 
Corporal Henry Everall 
Marine Eric Gotts 
Colour Sergeant Frederick Harwood 
Corporal Albert Heath
Marine John Mackinstry 
Corporal Norman McDonald 
Lance Corporal Henry Morgan 
Marine Samuel Northern
Marine Peter Orman 
Lieutenant Derrick Over 
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Picton Phillips 
Marine Wallace Powell 
Marine William Rhodes 
Marine Albert Riddle 
Marine Ronald Singleton 
Corporal Thomas Thorp 
Marine Percy Walker 
Marine Harold Wigmore 
 

The following are believed to have served with 10(IA) Commando at Dieppe, and died on or just after the 19th August 1942. 

Corporal Serge Moutaillier (French) - wounded and pow, later executed 
Private Gustav Oppelt (Czech) 19th August 1942 

GHQ LIaison Regiment - Phantom patrol (assigned to Commandos)

Lieutenant Michael Guy Hillerns  (attached to No 3 Commando)
 

Royal Artillery - 1st Forward Observation unit (assigned to Commandos)

Captain James Howard Thomas (attached to No. 3 Commando)

United States 1st Ranger Bn (assigned to 3 and 4 Commandos or the 2nd Canadian Divn.)

2nd Lieutenant Edward Vincent Loustalot (attached to No 3 Commando)
1st Lieutenant Joseph Howard Randall, s/n. 0-418342 (attached Canadians) age 22.
Tech 4 Corporal Howard Murl Henry, s/n. 35125112 (attached Canadians) age 23.

We will remember them

A partial nominal roll for Dieppe

Units: 
The following list contain the names, ranks and numbers of the officers and men of No4 Commando who participated. It also includes some from No 10 (IA) Commando Free French  and 'X' troop, and others including some US Rangers, who were attached to the Commandos for the raid.
It does not contain those from No 3 Commando and 40RM Commando. Almost 300 names with details can be found here: [Operation Jubilee]
 
Below is a transcript of the introduction by the author of the original list that was compiled for No 4 Commando. 
Some amendments and additions have been made by this Archive since then.
 
"The list is the result of well over three years research and was begun solely because no record of the names of those involved in the action existed. Somewhere in the region of five hundred letters were sent to newspapers here in the UK, then Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The ensuing response was very good; contact was made with at least ninety Commandos as well as next of kin of those who are no longer with us. Each contributed with names of those they could recall as having been with No 4 Commando at Varengeville. 
A number of names of those involved were already documented, the remainder, some two hundred names are the product of a consensus of opinion among the Commandos who were contacted. However, I wish to point out that opinions were not always unanimous; this was, quite naturally, to be expected but eventually sheer volume of opinion allied to personal memories persuaded me that the names submitted were clearly the names of those who were involved in Operation Cauldron.
The men of No 4 Commando were asked to delve deeply into their memories and recall an event that occurred forty eight years ago, this could not have been easy, their response was excellent and the rapport and teamwork which quickly materialised between us had to be experienced to be understood. Men whom I had never met became companions in the task, their constant message of advice and encouragements became the spur which enabled me to continue with what, at time was a frustrating task. 
I can but once again thank each and every one of these Commandos for their inestimable assistance. 
At the risk of being considered invidious I must mention the name of one person without whose help this list could not have been completed with accuracy and attention to detail such as numbers and regiments Etc. The General Secretary of the Commando Association Mr Ron Youngman proved to be a tower of strength, his patience and goodwill in the face of my interminable enquiries was exemplary. 
Finally, I accept full responsibility for any errors but as Queen Victoria once remarked "History is not what actually happened but what you believe happened?" Thus, I believe that within these pages are the names of all the men who fought and died at Varengeville. 
 
E.W. Jones 
Rhosllanerchrugog, Nr Wrexham, Clwyd. July 1990. "

Dieppe Roll of Honour
 

Partial Nominal Roll for Dieppe
 
Officers of No 4 Commando: Operation Cauldron

nb. All awards shown are those held on August 19th 1942. 
 
NCOs and other ranks of No 4 Commando: Operation Cauldron
Varengeville August 19th 1942.
5183147 Sgt. W. Adlam.
3249930 L/Cpl. J.E. Aitken  
4918457 Pte. W. Allen
T/71345 Sgt. Allsop W. R.A.S.C.
7017211 Rfn. Anderson R.J. R.U.R.
3965128 Pte. V.W. Andrews
Sgt. Austin A. R.A.
3319294 Pte. E. Bagdonas
3446930 Pte. A. Banks 
5341937 Pte. W. Barnes
7662631 Fus. Barnett G. R. Fus.
5382464 Pte. L. Bateman
5389646 Cpl. R.L. Batty 
7901939 Sgt. F. W. Bend
7013529 Cpl. Birmingham C. R.U.R.
5674696 L/Cpl. J. Bishop 
6905806 Cpl. C.H. Blunden
3187064 Pte. W. Bowskill
6980161 Fus. J.M. Boyd
5389958 Pte. Bradbury G. Ox & Bucks.
6297735 Pte. S.A. Bradshaw
4206261 Fus. T. Bramwell
5619678 Pte. A. Brooking
3134093 Pte. Bryne C.W. Borders.
6292500 Pte. Burnett J. Buffs.
3317331 Pte. Burrell J. H.L.I.
6087599 Fus. Burrows P. R. Fus.
4346042 Pte. Burrows C. East Yorks.
2719257 Gdsm. P.J. Byrne
3313393 Pte. Campbell T. H.L.I.
3194284 Pte. J. Carlin
2618377 Gdsm. Chamberlain P. GrenadierGrds
53811205 Tsm. Chattaway L. Ox & Bucks.
6850530 L/Cpl. J. Chitty. 
5880377 Pte. Clark M. Buffs.
6028720 Pte. Clement D.R. Suffolks.
5186173 L/Cpl. F.G. Cleaveley
2619831 Gdsm. J.D. Clewes
206488 Fus. Cook G. R.W.F.
6292556 Pte. Coote A. Buffs.
3248703 Pte. G.M. Craig
4036812 Sgt. Cross E.W. K.S.L.I.
5953035 Pte. J. Dale. 
868384 Gnr. Davies B.K. R.A.
734604 Gdsm. Dennis A. Welsh Guards.
6340886 Sgt. Desmond M. R. West Kents
6291999 L/Cpl. Diplock A. Buffs.
4914037 Sgt. Dobbs A. S. Staffs.
4914036 Pte. C. Dobbs 
3962136 Pte. Doubler C.A. Welch Rgt.
364981 Pte. H. Donkin.
6293173 Pte Duhig J. Buffs.
7893672 TSM. J. Dunning. 
3673408 Pte. Elliot G. Somerset L.I.
4031772 Sgt. Evans J. K.S.L.I.
889636 Gnr. Evans H. R.A.
5957221 Pte. Farnborough F. Beds & Herts.
7903742 Tpr. W. Finney
3858160 L/Cpl. Fletcher A. Loyals.
5342083 L/Cpl. D. Flowers
3199275 L/Cpl. J. Flynn
S/7896 Cpl. Ford V.E. R.A.S.C.
5347572 Pte. Fraser E.L. R. Berks.
2737968 Gdsm. Fraser L.J.E. WelshGds.
214506 Pte. P.L. Fussell
L/Sgt. Garnett C.V. R.A.S.C.
3854009 Pte. W.O. Garthwaite
5111581 Pte. S. Goff.
6145770 L/Cpl. F.M. Gooch 
3969776 Pte. Grace G. Welch Rgt.
4350446 Cpl. Graham G. E. Yorks.
2619786 Cpl. Grocock W. Gren.Grds
Sgt. Halliday J. R.A.
876901 Gnr. Halmshaw A. R.A.
5186589 Sgt. Ham F. Glosters.
Gnr. Hampton H. H.A.C.
3861617 L/Cpl. Hampton G. Loyals.
3601406 Pte. G.F. Harris. 
837194 Gnr. W. Harvey
3965370 Sgt. Heaynes L. Welch Rgt.
5344513 L/Cpl. E.PH. Heckman 
7010953 Rfn. Heggarty J. R.U.R.
7264010 Cpl. Henry A. R.A.M.C.
2931557 Pte. Hesketh G. Liverpool Scottish
3534999 Pte. Hibbert J. Loyals
2735047 Gdsm. Hill S. Welsh Guards
2077980 Cpl. Hinton M. R.E.
2619941 Gdsm. Hodgson T. Gren.Grds
6478881 Pte. D.S. Hoodless. 
6297771 Pte. O. Hooper. 
5118341 Pte. F.J. Horne
5948229 Sgt. G. Horne
889681 Bdr. Howat G. R.A.
2734873 Gdsm. Howells G.T. Welsh Guards.
5111985 Sig. C.J. Hughes
2927941 Cpl. Hughes A.H. S. Lancs.
2621891 Gdsm. A.E.R. Humphries (shown originally Humphreys,  H.)
2620946 Gdsm. Hurd A.E. GrenadierGrds
4983150 Pte. Hydes F. Sherwood Foresters
4337783 Pte. Ibbotson J. E. Yorks.
1398027 Gnr. H.G. Ivison
5111228 L/Cpl. Jackson J. R. Warwicks.
915014 L/Cpl. Johnson F.C. R.A.
5110959 L/Cpl. Johnson J. R. Warwicks.
79055832 L/Cpl. Jones G.E. R.T.R.
6849921 Pte. Kealy T. J. K.R.R.C.
7012717 Rfn. J. Keenan
4694937 Pte. Keighley J. K.O.Y.L.I.
3968414 Pte. Kendall G. R. Warwicks.
5336379 Pte. P.G. Kendrick
5781656 Sgt Kennedy S. R. Norfolks.
2073019 Spr. K.C. Kennett
3864762 Pte. Kerr R. Loyals.
2620144 Gdsmn. Charles King, Gren.Grds
6297700 Pte. Knowles M. Buffs.
3604647 Pte. Lane J.E. Borders.
2765791 L/Cpl. D. Laing. 
5675016 Sgt. Langlands G. Somerset L.I.
3968864 Pte. Lansley F. R. Warwicks.
884501 L/Bdr. H. Larment
4546257 Pte. Leach C. W. Yorks.
3970069 Sgt. Lewis E.J. Welch Rgt.
5494647 Pte. Le Maitre W. Hampshires.
6291391 Cpl. Lilley J. Buffs.
2073383 Sgt. Lillicoe R.E. R.E.
4345289 Sgt. Lindley H. E. Yorks.
5730322 L/Cpl. Long E. Dorsets.
2733639 L/Cpl. Lloyd C.L. Welsh Guards.
2929634 Gnr. MacAulay A R.A.
5344652 L/Cpl. R. Mann
2614151 Gdsm. Marchant J. GrenadierGrds
5435059 Pte. Martyn L.S. D.C.L.I.
2621497 Gdsm. Marshall E. GrenadierGrds
26199554 Gdsm. Marshall R. GrenadierGrds
4350439 Pte. Mather B. E. Yorks.
10503256 Gnr. F. Maund.
5111136 Pte. May J. R. Warwicks.
2621526 Gdsm. J. Maybury. 
3775704 Sgt. P.F. McCarthy
9426250 Gnr. McCartney J. R.A.
828757 Gnr. McCormack J. R.A.
3310783 Pte. J. McDermott.
4390628 Gnr. McDonic J. Green Howards.
2198211 Gnr. T. McDonough
3653925 Pte. S. McGann. 
3778700 Pte. McGlory J. Kings Rgt.
7516695 Pte. McLean J. R.A.M.C.
5341993 Pte. McLoughlin W.J. R. Berks.
3853876 Cpl. P. McVeigh. 
2693943 Pte. Mellis J. Lovat Scouts
3773037 L/Cpl. D.T. Mercer. 
7902963 L/Cpl. Middleton F. R.A.C.
3777204 L/Cpl. A. Mills 
2661694 Gdsm. Moore J.O. Coldstream Gds
7878047 Rsm. Morris W. R.A.C.
3850897 Pte. J. Moss 
3771020 Pte. Mullaniff J. R.A.C.
2075499 L/Cpl. B.J. Mullen. 
2721240 Gdsm. Moloughney J. Irish Guards.
5123514 Cpl. Nankivell J. R. Warwicks.
3189059 Pte. J. Notman 
805120 Gnr. Norris A. R.A.
5112028 Pte. O'Connor D.N., R. Warwicks
3319042 Pte. R. O'Donnell
5835286 Pte. R.W. Ong
2718837 Gdsm. Orr J. Irish Guards.
5111978 Pte. Overbury T. R Warwicks.
5342934 Pte. Paget E. R. Berks.
7597121 Pte. D. Pardoe
3709917 Pte. J. Park. 
7262386 Pte. Jim Pasquale R.A.M.C.
7359503 Pte. Joe Pasquale
5618281 Pte. Patey F.S. Devons.
843165 Pte. Payne W. R.A.
1427522 Bdr. Pike H.J. R.A.
1870112 Sgt. I. Portman
2617353 Gdsm. Powell J. GrenadierGrds
5110316 Pte. J.E.D. Price
947113 Gnr. Price J. R.A.
3970880 Pte. Richards N. Welch Rgt.
4469318 Pte. Richards T. Durham L.I.
7013052 Rfn. Rogers W. R.U.R.
3600232 Pte. R. Rudd
11000189 Gnr. L.J. Ruskin.
Gnr. Ryan F.J. R.A.
7386392 L/Cpl. G. Scanlon. 
6850526 Rfn. Seal A. K.R.R.C.
6142679 L/Cpl. Sellars W. E. Surreys.
855693 Bdr. Shailes R. R.A. (*added 27/2/13 originally wrongly entered as Swailes)
6144649 L/Cpl. J.C. Skerry. 
5672383 L/Cpl. Skinner B. R. Berks.
2616557 Gdsm. Smith S.R. GrenadierGrds
T/99352 L/Cpl. E.A. Smith
Cpl. M. Smithson (later 2SBS)
3188233 Pte. Somers J. K.O.S.B.(later 2 SBS).
2616669 Cpl. Spearman W.J. GrenadierGrds
6910706 TSM. W.R. Stockdale. 
4347101 Pte. G.H. Sutton 
6291136 Pte. Swailes G. Buffs. (*not on the raid - see entry for Shailes)
4038517 Pte. S. Swinson (originally shown with initial T)
815495 Gnr. T. Taylor. 
6297957 Pte. Tilly S.V. Buffs.
2615853 Gdsm. Tombs P.G. GrenadierGrds
2586214 Sig. G.A. Tucker
7903221 Tpr. Thompson J. R.A.C.
5343090 Pte. Vestey J. Worcesters.
Spr. Vickers G. R.E.
180262 Cpl. R.G. Vowles
6291393 Pte. Waddington C. Buffs.
3657617 Pte. A. Walker. 
889072 L/Cpl. Wall D. R.A.
8835093 Cpl. Wallace J. Suffolks.
7014930 Rfn. Wallis F. R.U.R.
4346253 L/Cpl. Walsh J.W. E. Yorks.
2620747 Gdsm. J.R. Walters 
5946788 Sgt. A.W.B. Watkins 
7012390 Rfn. J. Watters 
53365587 Pte. Webb D.H. R. Berks.
2619850 Gdsm. Webster L.G. GrenadierGrds
5958490 Pte. P.A. Wells
5387562 L/Cpl. J. Whatley 
3387224 Sgt. Wharf J. E. Lancs.
2620598 Gdsm. J. Whitaker 
5831129 Pte. White M. Suffolks.
5338629 Pte. Whitling W. R. Berks.
6009739 TSM. C. Williams
7903178 Cpl. Woodward L. R.A.C.
5388317 Sig. Woodyer K. Ox & Bucks L.I. 
 
1st US Ranger Battalion 
6 Officers and 44 enlisted men particpated in the raid with No. 3 and  No. 4  Commando, and the 2nd Canadian Division. 
Capt. Roy A. Murray/Texas 
1st Lt. Leonard F. Dirks/Iowa
1st Lt. Robert Flanagan/Washington
2Lt. Edward V. Loustalot/Lousiana
2Lt. Joseph H. Randall/DCo/Washington DC
2Lt. Charles M. Shunstrom/New Jersey
Sgt. Harold R. Adams/A Co/Iowa
Sgt. Mervin T. Heacock/A Co/Minnesota
T/5 Joe C. Phillips/A Co/Kentucky
Pfc. Howard T. Hedenstad/A Co/S.Dakota
Pfc. James C. Mosely/A Co/Arkansas 
Pfc. Erwin J. Moger/A Co/Minnesota
Sgt. Lloyd N. Church/A Co/Iowa
S/Sgt. Merritt M. Bertholf/B Co/Minnesota
Sgt. Albert T. Jacobsen/B Co/Iowa
Pfc. Walter A. Bresnahan/B Co/Minnesota
Pfc. Edwin R. Ferru/B Co/Minnesota
Pfc. William E. Lienhas/B Co/Pennsylvania
Pfc. Donald L. Hayes/B Co/Iowa
Sgt. John J. Knapp/C Co/Nebraska
Sgt. Dick Sellers/C Co/Iowa
T/5 John H. Smith/C Co/Pennsylvania
Pfc. James O. Edwards/C Co/Pennsylvania
Pfc. Charles F. Grant/C Co/Tennessee
Cpl. William R. Brady/C Co/Texas
Pfc. Donald G Johnson/C Co/N Dakota
Sgt. Kenneth G Kenyon/C Co/Minnesota
S/Sgt. Gino Mercuriali/D Co/Iowa
Sgt. Marvin L. Kavanaugh/DCo/Georgia 
T/4 Howard M. Henry
T/5 William S. Brinkley/D Co/Indiana
T/5 Michael Kerecman/D Co/Ohio
Pfc. William S. Girdley/D Co/KIA/Indiana
Pvt. Jacque M. Nixon/D Co/Arkansas
Cpl. Franklin M. Koons/D Co/Iowa
S/Sgt. Lester E. Kness/E Co/Iowa
Sgt. Theodore Q. Butts/E Co/Minnesota
Pfc. Clare P. Bietel/E Co/Iowa
Pfc. Charles R. Coy/E Co/Iowa
Pfc. Charles Reilly/E Co/New York
Pfc. Owen E. Sweazey/E Co/Indiana
Sgt. Edwin C. Thompson/F Co/Iowa
Pfc. Howard W. Andre/F Co/Penn
Pfc. Stanley Bush/F Co/Michigan
Pfc. Pete M. Preston/F Co/West Virginia
Pvt. Don A. Earwood/F Co/Iowa
Sgt. Tom Sorby/F Co/Minnesota
S/Sgt. Kenneth D. Stempson/HQ/Minn
Sgt. Marcell G Swank/HQ
Sgt. Alex J Szima/HQ/Florida
[Source: 1st Ranger Bn. War Diary and History http://www.wwiirangers.com]
 
10 (IA) Commando Free French attd to No 4 Commando
 
Cpl. Taverne.
Fus. R. Rabouhans.
 
10(IA) Commando Free French attached to Canadian Forces
The following are recorded in the 10 (IA) Commando War Diary as being attached to the Canadians at Dieppe. (Source ref. War Diary, DEFE 2/45 , dated 19/8/1942.)(Information not on the original list - added 1st May 2017.)
 
Lt. Vourch
Pte. Loverini
Pte. Simon
Pte. Jean
Pte. Borettini
Pte. Tanniou.
 
10(IA) Commando Free French attached to No 3 Commando
The following are recorded in the 10 (IA) Commando War Diary as being attached to No 3 Commando at Dieppe. (Source ref. War Diary, DEFE 2/45 , dated 19/8/1942.)(Information not on the original list - added 1st May 2017.)
 
Sgt. De Wandelaer.
Cpl. Cesar
Cpl. Ropert
Cpl. Errard
 
10(IA) Commando 'X' troop at Dieppe
The following are recorded in the 10 (IA) Commando War Diary as participating at Dieppe. (Source ref. War Diary, DEFE 2/45 , dated 19/8/1942.)(Information not on the original list - added 1st May 2017.)
 
Pte. Latimer (birth name Maurice Lewy)
Pte. Platt
 
Two signallers of the South Saskatchewan Regiment were landed on Orange One Beach with No 4 Commando 'C' Troop.
Their task was to provide a lateral link between the two units, the other unit being the Canadians who landed at 'Green Beach' Pourville. 
 
Pte. Michael Faille.
Pte. Paul J. Karesa. 
 
Three men from the 'Phantom' group of signallers were also at Orange Beach One.
Capt. A.R.M. Sedgwick. R.T.R
Tpr. B. Randell. The Royal Scots.
Fus. C. King. The Royal Fusiliers. 

Military decorations for Operation Cauldron.
Capt. P.A. Porteous. The Victoria Cross. 
Lt. Col. The Lord Lovat MC. Distinguished Service Order.
Major. D Mills-Roberts. Military Cross.
Capt. G.G.H. Webb. Bar to Military Cross.
Capt. B.W.S. Boucher Myers. Mention in Despatches.
Lieut. D.C.W. Style. Military Cross.
Lieut. J. Ennis. Mention in Despatches.
Tsm. W.R. Stockdale. Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Sgt. I. Portman. Military Medal.
Sgt. P. F McCarthy. Military Medal.
Cpl. C. Blunden. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. R Mann. Military Medal.
L/Cpl. J.C. Skerry. Mention in Despatches.
Tpr. W. Finney Military Medal.
Gnr. T. McDonough. Military Medal.
Pte. F.J. Horne. Mention in Despatches.
Pte. J. Dale. Mention in Despatches.
Sgt. F. Baloche, Military Medal ( 10(IA) Cdo Free French attd. No 4 Cdo) 
Cpl. F.M. Koons Military Medal (American Rangers Detachment) 
 
The following Commandos were taken prisoner
Pte. G. Cook. F Troop.
L/Cpl. A. Diplock. A Troop.
Pte. C.A. Doublair. A Troop.
Sgt. G. Horne. F Troop.
Gnr. G.H. Iveson. B Troop.
Pte. Jim Pasquale. HQ
Pte. W. Rogers. A Troop.
L/Cpl. G. Vowles. F Troop. 
 
The names of the four German prisoners brought back to the UK
Bronislaw Wesierski.
Max Kussowski.
Otto Samuelowitch.
Leo Marsiniak.
 
nb. The above does not contain those from No 3 Commando and 40RM Commando as no such list of names has been found. However researchers can find some names of those from No.3 and 40RM [here....].
 

'Operation Cauldron'

19th August 1942. Operation Cauldron was the code name given to No 4 Commando's specific task within Operation Jubilee at Dieppe on the 19th August 1942.  Their role was to attack and destroy the Hess Battery at Varengeville.
 
Follow this link for the ROH of all the Commando Fallen at Dieppe.
 
Follow this link for a limited Nominal Roll of Commandos at Dieppe.

 

'Operation Flodden'

19th August 1942. Operation Flodden was the name given to the specific role of No 3 Commando during Operation Jubilee. Their role was to land eight miles east of Dieppe to assault and silence the coastal battery near Berneval.
 
Follow this link for the ROH of all the Commando Fallen at Dieppe
 

'Glomjford - Operation Musketoon’

Date commenced: 
Sunday, September 20, 1942
Units: 

Glomfjord, Norway

Operation Musketoon was a raid on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. Ten Commandos from No 2 Commando and 2 Norwegian corporals working for the SOE took part in the raid leaving thier home port on the 11th September 1942.
They were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it.
Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order. 
 
​[Click on highlighted names below for more]

Captain Graeme Delamere Black DSO, MC
Captain Joseph Blundell Houghton MC
Sergeant Miller Smith
Lance Bombardier William Henry Albert Chudley
Private Reginald Henry Makeham
Rifleman Cyril Henry Abram
Private Eric Gordon Curtis

The Commandos were accompanied by 2 scouts from Norwegian Independent Company 1 (Noric1), an SOE unit who were both later killed.

Sergeant Erling Magnus Djupdræt
Corporal Sverre Granlund

Lance Sergeant Richard O'Brien, Guardsman John Fairclough, and Private Frederick Trigg all escaped and made it back to the UK rejoining No.2 Commando. Private Trigg was killed in action in Italy on 16 February 1944. Read more about them on the links below.

Memorial at Sachsenhausen in memory of not only those executed on this raid, but of all the British and Commonwealth Forces, many still unknown, who were interned and perished there, or elsewhere, at the hands of their captors. View full size in Gallery.
These include the Commandos from Operation Checkmate [view]
 

Sachsenhausen British and Commonwealth Memorial

Sachsenhausen British and Commonwealth Memorial

BLACK, Graeme Delamere

Rank: 
Captain
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
4 Independent Company
Regiment/Corps: 
South Lancashire
Service: 
Army
Number: 
106240
Born: 
Tuesday, May 9, 1911
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
31
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Captain Graeme Black DSO, MC, was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He was one of the seven Commandos of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942. 
  • Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in successful combined operations, against the enemy at Vaagso and Maaloy during which he was wounded.
  • Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the field.
Sources
CWGC.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Vaagso - Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/2.
MC : London Gazette 35510, page 1506.
DSO : London Gazette 37349, page 5574.
Report on the Nuremberg trials in the Birmingham Gazette 10 January 1946.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

HOUGHTON, Joseph Blundell Johnson

Birth name: 
JOHNSON HOUGHTON, Joseph Blundell
Rank: 
Captain
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
4 Independent Company
Regiment/Corps: 
Queens Own Cameron Highlanders
Service: 
Army
Number: 
130206
Honours & Awards: 
Born: 
Tuesday, June 13, 1911
Birthplace: 
Bromborough
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
31
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Captain Joseph Houghton MC was executed whilst a Prisoner of War. He was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942. Son of Arthur Blundell Johnson Houghton, and of Leila Mary Battersby Houghton, of Knightsbridge, London. The family used the shortened surname of 'Houghton' rather than 'Johnson-Houghton'.
In March 1942 he had taken part in Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire, being i/c of the protection squad for the demolition team on ML443. This was one of only 3 ML's that would make it back to the UK. Later awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Family surname: His sister Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE.
MC : London Gazette 37349, page 5574.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

HOUGHTON, (No.2 Cdo executed), biography

Type: Booklet
Author: Carol Kerr, Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE
Year of Publishing: 2011
Keywords: 2 commando, joe houghton, musketoon,
So Fine and Honourable an Englishman

An account about Captain Joseph Blundell Johnson-Houghton MC, known as Joe Houghton, who served in No.2 Commando. It was written for The Colditz Society by Carol Kerr, with information provided by Capt. Houghton's sister, Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE, reproduced here with the permission of the author Carol Kerr, Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE, and The Colditz Society. Use the download facility above.

SMITH, Miller

Rank: 
Sergeant (Temporary Company Sergeant Major)
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Prior Police Service: 
Southport Borough Police
Regiment/Corps: 
Coldstream Guards
Service: 
Army
Number: 
2657063
Born: 
Tuesday, November 2, 1915
Birthplace: 
Middlesborough
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
26
Cemetery/Memorial: 

Sergeant Miller Smith, a former Police Officer, was one of seven men from No.2 Commando captured after Operation Musketoon and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's Commando Execution Order. Son of James Miller Smith and Jane Smith, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, Yorkshire.

Sources
CWGC.
Commando Association newsletter 96.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Nazi persecution claim: [name withheld - in closed extracts] for Mr Miller Smith / Foreign Office file FO950/4138.
Report on the Nuremberg trials in the Birmingham Gazette 10 January 1946.
 
Notes
  • Sgt Miller Smith may have held the temporary rank of CSM, his war substantive rank being Sergeant. A photo taken at Colditz shows CSM insignia.
  • There is a plaque in his name at Merseyside Police Station, Albert Road, Southport, Sefton.
  • There is a photo of Sgt Smith in the main gallery, and one in the CVA Memorials and Plaques Album of the Memorial Plaque at Sachsenhausen to these and other men who were executed there.
Primary Roll of Honour: 

A Special Memorial Service for Sgt. Miller Smith

Units: 
Extract from Commando Association newsletter 96 issued March 1993
Special Commando Memorial Service
On 25th October last, a special Memorial Service and Parade was held in honour of Commando Sergeant Miller Smith (2 Cdo), a Southport ex-policeman, who, participating on "Operation Musketoon" the raid on Glomfjord Power Station, Norway, on 20th September, 1942, was captured with eight others trying to escape via Sweden. Subsequently taken to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and executed by the SS under Hitler's infamous Reprisal Order.
 
ln spite of atrocious weather, there was a magnificent turnout of veterans to honour him. The service was held in the South Chapel Memorial, the Mayor and Mayoress being in attendance. The Last Post was rendered beautifully by a Guardsman Bugler, and a wreath on behalf of the Commandos was laid ty Colonel Donald Long, MC., TD., DL. (9 Cdo). The march past was led by the Coldstream Guards (Sgt. Smith's parent regiment), under the command of a Guards Officer and NCO, followed by the Guards Association with Standard.
 
Following on was our large contingent of Commandos of some 50 in number from Bolton and Warrington with the Warrington Commando Standard, under the able guidance of Geoff Wilkes and George Rees, plus local Commandos, including Geoff Riley (5 Cdo) and Ernie Heaton (45 RM Cdo.)
 
Several other Associations with Standards also paraded. After the march past, a reception was held for all visitors who attended.

Read more about the raid [Operation Musketoon].

Linked Content: 

ABRAM, Cyril Henry

Rank: 
Rifleman
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Rifle Brigade
Service: 
Army
Number: 
6922005
P.O.W. number: 
1651
Born: 
Sunday, August 20, 1922
Birthplace: 
London
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
20
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Cyril Abram 2 Commando
Rifleman Cyril Abram was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's Commando Execution Order. Son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Abram, of Manor Park, Essex.

The raid was on an electricity generating station at Glomfjord in German occupied Norway. The men were taken by submarine to a remote Fjord, completed a difficult overland route, approaching their target from the rear and successfully destroyed it. Seven were captured and later executed at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's infamous Commando Order. 

Sources
CWGC.
Prisoners of War / National Archives file WO416/1/240.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Nazi persecution claim: Mrs Lily Abram for Mr Cyril Henry Abram / Foreign Office file FO950/3034.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

CHUDLEY, William Henry Albert

Rank: 
Lance Bombardier
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Artillery
Service: 
Army
Number: 
882221
Born: 
Wednesday, May 10, 1922
Birthplace: 
Exeter
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
20
Cemetery/Memorial: 
William Chudley 2 Commando
Lance Bombardier William Chudley was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942. Son of Richard Henry and Ellen Eliza Chudley, of Exeter.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Nazi persecution claim: Mrs Ellen Eliza Chudley for Mr William Henry Albert Chudley / Foreign Office file FO950/3057.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Report on the Nuremberg trials in the Birmingham Gazette 10 January 1946.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

CURTIS, Eric Gordon

Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Queens Own Royal West Kent
Service: 
Army
Number: 
6349613
Born: 
Monday, October 24, 1921
Birthplace: 
London
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
20
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Eric Curtis 2 Commando
Eric Gordon Curtis 2 Commando
Private Eric Gordon Curtis was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon. He was executed on 23 October 1942, the day before his 21st birthday, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp under Hitler's Commando Execution Order. Son of Frederick William and May Curtis, of Catford, London.
 
Sources
CWGC.
Nazi persecution claim: Mrs Ellen Eliza Chudley for Mr William Henry Albert Chudley / Foreign Office file FO950/3073.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.
Report on the Nuremberg trials in the in the Birmingham Gazette 10 January 1946.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

MAKEHAM, Reginald Henry

Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Gordon Highlanders
Service: 
Army
Number: 
841059
Born: 
Wednesday, January 28, 1914
Birthplace: 
Ipswich
Died : 
Friday, October 23, 1942
Executed
Age: 
28
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Reginald Makeham 2 Commando

Private Reginald Makeham, 6 troop, was one of the seven men of No. 2 Commando who were captured after Operation Musketoon, and later executed under Hitler's Commando Execution Order, at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Berlin, 1942. Son of Reginald Linnel Makeham and Mary Susan Janet Hope Makeham; husband of R. Makeham, of Keswick, Cumberland.

Sources
CWGC.
Killing of British POWs Germany after capture in Norway Operation Musketoon  / National Archives file WO311/382.

Primary Roll of Honour: 

TRIGG, Frederick Harry

Rank: 
Private
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Sussex Regiment
Service: 
Army
Number: 
6399046
Honours & Awards: 
Died : 
Wednesday, February 16, 1944
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
25
Cemetery/Memorial: 
Frederick Harry Trigg 2 Commando
Private Frederick Trigg MM from Haywards Heath, Sussex, was killed in action in Italy. He has no known grave. Awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service in 1942 during Operation Musketoon, Norway, and his subsequent evasion from capture. Seven of those on that raid were captured and executed. Private Trigg rejoined No.2 Commando taking part in Operation Avalanche at Salerno, Italy, from 9 September 1943. It was reported in newspapers  that he had been wounded during the Salerno operations and had subsequently rejoined his Regiment. 
Extract from the recommendation
Private Trigg was attached to No.2 Commando for Operation Musketoon. This highly successful operation resulted in the destruction of the important electric power plant at Glomfjord in Norway. Private Trigg throughout showed skill and resolution. He spent, in all, twelve days in enemy occupied country and eventually made his escape in spite of great exhaustion and hardship. [Recommended by Brigadier R.E. Laycock].
 
Sources
CWGC.
London Gazette 35853, page 210.
Recommendation for Awards / National Archives file WO373/93/75.
Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/72.
Report in the Mid Sussex Times newspaper 22 March 1944 [see linked content below].
[Image] Collection of Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 

O'BRIEN, Richard

Rank: 
Lance Sergeant
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Berkshire Regiment
Service: 
Army
Number: 
5340890
Lance Sergeant Richard O'Brien, 2 troop, was one of the Commandos who returned from Operation Chariot, the raid on St Nazaire. He sailed on board ML 447.
 
6 months later he was one of the ten Commandos who took part in Operation Musketoon. Seven were taken prisoner and later executed. LSgt O'Brien evaded capture after the successful raid and made it back to the UK.  He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions during this raid.
(Source: LG Publication date: 5 March 1943, Supplement: 35929, Page: 1118).
 
The following year, now with the rank of Acting Sergeant,  he was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry between the 10th and 18th Sept. 1943 during the battles of Salerno, Dragone Hill, and Piegolelle (also seen spelt as Piegolette).
 (Source: LG Publication date: 13 January 1944, Supplement: 36327, Page: 258)
 

FAIRCLOUGH, John

Rank: 
Guardsman (later Sergeant)
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Grenadier Guards
Service: 
Army
Number: 
2619513
Honours & Awards: 
John Fairclough MM
Fairclough 2 Commando
Guardsman John Fairclough was one of the ten Commandos and 2 Norwegians who took part in Operation Musketoon. Seven were taken prisoner and later executed. He was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during this raid.
Extract from the recommendation
Guardsman Fairclough was attached to No.2 Commando for Operation Musketoon. This highly successful operation resulted in the destruction of the important electric power plant at Glomfjord in Norway. Fairclough throughout showed skill and resolution. He spent, in all, twelve days in enemy occupied country and eventually made his escape in spite of great exhaustion and hardship. [Recommended by Brigadier R.E. Laycock].
 

The death of Sgt. John Fairclough MM of Wrexham, Clwyd, was announced in Commando Association newsletter 110 issued March 2000.

Sources
London Gazette 35853, page 210.
Recommendations for Awards / National Archives file WO373/93/76.
[Image 2] Mrs Desiree Roderick MBE, sister of Captain Joseph Houghton MC.
 

'North Africa - Operation Torch'

Date commenced: 
Sunday, November 8, 1942

The Allied invasion of French North Africa.  The Commando units involved were part of Eastern Task Force landing on beaches close to Algiers operating alongside commando trained units of the US 34th Infantry Division

Tunisia - Operation Bizerte

Date commenced: 
Tuesday, December 1, 1942
Units: 

An operation over four days to delay and harry enemy forces withdrawing before the advance of 36 Infantry Brigade.

1 Commando, Op Bizerte part of Lt.Col Ken Trevors narrative

Transcript of Operation "Bizerte" Narrative

To:  Lt-Col. Trevor From: Philip Jordan

Acting under orders to support the advance of the 36th Infantry Brigade by turning the enemy's sea-flank, cutting his lines of communication and harrying his withdrawal, No. 1 Commando embarked in the port of TABARKA on the evening of November 30.  The Commando, which consisted of six British and four American Troops, embarked a few minutes before dusk beneath the walls of the ancient fortress which used to guard this little place, and at 1800 hrs. turned East for its destination.

The whole Commando, together with 8 donkeys whose function was to carry the mortars, sailed in nine L.C.Ms and four L.C.As and the naval personnel responsible for landing them acted under the orders of the Army.  Earlier night reconnaissance by the Naval and Commando Commander had selected as a landing place a beach some 60 miles East of Tabarka, which was protected by a spur of land from the long Eastward roll of the Mediterranean.  (Map Reference: 4805 : Sheet 2 : 1/200,000).  The Northern coast of Tunisia in this sector of land offers few opportunities for quick and successful landing:  for the most part the coast is precipitous, with mountains rising almost immediately from the sea.  At this time of the year the Mediterranean here is seldom calm:  even on a windless day the accumulated swell of 900 miles of open sea usually beats on the shore with a ferocity that makes any landing such as that contemplated impracticable.  For this reason a beach, whose approaches are guarded by a sand bar whose expanse is to some extent guarded from the perpetual swell by the Northward jutting mass of Dar Sidi el Moujad was chosen for the landing, scheduled in the original plan of operation for 0100 hrs. on Dec 1.

The journey through the night was accomplished without incident of any kind; and the beach was sighted soon after the moon came up.  It is one of the first fundamental principles of all Combined Operations that material to be landed on an open beach shall be both buoyant and waterproof.  On this occasion there were certain objects to which these principles could not apply:  the 8 donkeys, and the cinema apparatus brought by a Sergeant of the Army Film Unit.  The latter was immediately submerged and rendered useless, but 5 of the donkeys managed to swim ashore.  Two of these only were in any condition to be made use of, and the other three were returned to the landing craft from which they had come, and thence "returned to store".  As it turned out the two animals who remained on shore were useless, for the terrain proved to be unsuitable for pack-animals.

By 0315 all landings had been made, and the 10 Troops moved off to their appointed positions.  The whole Commando was divided into halves, and the most Easterly position assigned to those five Troops who landed in the first wave.  Each Troop was assigned a map reference and within its own area was to operate independently.

It had been a wet landing, with water rising approximately to just below the armpits of an average size man, but it was accomplished with the loss of only one wireless set, through who outer covering sea-water managed to percolate.  All the other sets, eleven of them, were successfully landed, each capable of maintaining communication with both or either of the headquarters attached to each half.  No attempt was made to land any set which could maintain communications with the 36th Brigade, the only available sets capable of covering the distance are too heavy to move across this ground.

[PAGE 2 OF NARRATIVE MISSING

cycle came down the road, but was allowed to proceed in the hope that it might be leading a convoy.  Otherwise there was no movement until late that night when a drunken pilot of the Africa Corps (who insisted that all New Zealanders cut the throats of their prisoners) came careering along the road on a motor cycle, and was captured at the bridge just south of the road junction.  With perhaps greater veracity he said that an attack was coming from the Bizerte direction.

On the third afternoon the enemy opened fire from the cover of woods, at a range of about 600 yards, and four armoured cars were reported to be moving forward to attack.  Actually only two were seen, both of them eight wheeled, both coloured for desert war rather than for a Tunisian campaign in winter.  The second of the two Troops was attacked from machine gun nests and shelled from eight wheeled armoured cars, but they replied with light machine gun fire and with armour piercing rifle fire; and the enemy withdrew.

All the Troops attacking the enemy road position came under heavy fire, but throughout the whole operation, from which they eventually withdrew because of the inevitable shortage of rations, the initiative remained in their hands.  They were able to come and go at will, and to make and break contact with the enemy whenever it seemed proper to them to do so.  For a total casualty list of 6 officers and 128 other ranks they were not only able to fulfill their programme and return with valuable information - particularly concerning Sidi Ahmed aerodrome, on to which at 1100 hours each day, twenty large transport planes landed with fighter escort, and on the first day fourteen bombers - but to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy.

They were able to observe that the enemy's main supply route from Bizerte is along the road from the fork just west of Sidi Ahmed aerodrome southwards through Tindja and the outskirts of Ferryville, for throughout the whole of the operation the enemy was moving his columns solely by this route.  One such column, of 100 vehicles with A.F.V. protection and fighter cover was observed by Capt. Bradford's Troop during their observation of the aerodrome area, which is continually protected by not only very large ground forces but by A.F.V's as well.

Among the casualties were Captain Bradford who led his men to within four miles of the centre of Bizerte itself; and who was killed leading his Troop against the enemy.  He died giving coherent orders to his remaining officer for the future disposition of his men.  Earlier in the day he had lost one of his officers, Lieut. Petty, while his men, having cut the telephone wires near Bizerte and used them as trip wires, were crossing a piece of open ground in twos and threes.  During this move they were fired upon by German's wearing French uniform.  Six or eight of them, who were close enough to Lieut. Petty, threw hand grenades at him and his batman, and both fell.  The batman was not killed, for he rose from the ground with his hands up, and pointed down to where Lieut. Petty was lying.  This gesture was the signal for the Germans to throw three more grenades at the spot where Lieut. Petty had fallen.

Capt. Morgan, who commanded the Troop on the immediate left of Capt. Bradford was also killed.  He too died after giving coherent orders to his men to carry on the battle.

It is some indication of the severity of the fighting during this operation that five officers have been recommended for the M.C., sixteen Other Ranks for the M.M., and one for the D.C.M.  The whole operation lasted three days, after which the Commando spent two days withdrawing to a rendezvous down to the road to Cap Serrat, during which period they were able to investigate the right flank of the enemy engaged by the 36th Brigade.  During the whole operation the average ration per man worked out at about one tin of bully, one packet of biscuits - all of which we sodden when the first landing was made - so tea, chocolate and cigarettes.  One troop was able to buy a calf from local Arabs, which they then butchered and cooked.  Others picked up a few eggs and chickens here and there.

Because of the necessity of travelling light, little ammunition was carried, and much of that was brought back.  This does not imply a small casualty roll for the enemy, for each man is a highly trained shot, and the minimum effective proportion which he is expected to achieve is twenty-five per cent of all shots fired.

Perhaps the main lesson to be derived from this operation, which certainly went according to plan, is that the sea can no longer be considered a safe flank.  An enterprise such as this, conducted by the navy and army, both operating under the command of the latter, shows that the function of the Commandos plus the Navy is that of the cavalry:  to turn the enemy's flank and harass his rear while the main attack is being put in from behind.  This operation showed beyond any doubt that when the original plan is such that adherence to it is possible, a small force, operating on cavalry lines, can inflict relatively high casualties on the enemy, disorganize his supply routes and withdraw at its own will without itself suffering in anything like the same degree.

It remains only to be added that none of the enemy prisoners withdrawn survived the journey to the final rendezvous, a rendezvous made the more cheerful by the fact that the first mail from home was waiting there, as well as a supply of Airgraph cards which are to be in England before Christmas.

Source:
Copy of National Archives document supplied by John Mewett. Transcribed by Jennie Barlow.
Note: Page two of this document is missing…but it is placed here so the contents can be used accordingly.

                                                        

1 Commando, Operation Bizerte Plan and Structure Dec'42

No. 1 Commando:  Operation Bizerte

Appendix 1:  December 1942

Authors:  Various

Copy of original document supplied by:  John Mewett

Transcribed by:  Jennie Barlow

Maps will be added later to this War DIary segment

The report is divided into the following headings:

1.         Intention

2.         Objects

3.         Plan

            (a)  Navy

            (b)  Army

4.         Execution of Plan

5.         Attainments of Objects

6.         Information

            (a)  Topographical

            (b)  Local Inhabitants

            (c)  Energy

7.         Casualties

8.         Recommendations

9          Map attached

 

 

REPORT

Ref. Maps: 1/50,000 Sheets No’s, 1, 2, 5 & 6, and 1/200,000 Sheet No. 2.

1.  INTENTION

No. 1 Commando attached to 36 Inf. Brigade to support the advance of the Brigade by turning the enemy's sea flank - cutting his lines of communication and harrying his withdrawal.  Leading elements of 36 Inf. Brigade to make contact with the Commando on D.2 at Road Junction 5094.

2.  OBJECTS

1.  Seize and hold Road Junction 5094.

2.  Seize and hold Road Junction 5796.

3.  Deny road to enemy.

4.  Destroy enemy transport.

5.  Delay and harry enemy forces withdrawing before the 36 Inf. Bde.

3.  PLAN

(a) - NAVAL

The whole Commando to be embarked in 9 L.C.M.'s and 4 L.C.A.'s by 1730 hrs.  D+1 at TABARKA.  The flotilla to be formed up outside the harbour at 1800 hrs. and move off.  The landing to be made at 0100 hrs, D.1 on the beach in the area 4805, in two waves, and to return to the base at TABARKA.

(b) - ARMY

The Commando to be divided into two halves, Left and Right Half, each half composed of five Troops and H.Q.s;  Right Half commanded by Lt. Col. T.H. Trevor, and Left Half commanded by Major K.R.S. Trevor.

Right Half who were to take up the most Easterly Positions to be landed in the first wave.  On landing four Troops were to move forward independently to following areas and to act independently on their arrival:

Holt's Troop: On extreme Right flank covering road from area 5395.

Morgan's Troop: Right centre in area Road Junction 5796.

Thompson's Troop: Left centre in area 5998.

Bradford's Troop: On extreme Left flank in area 6100.

Craven's Troop: In reserve with Right Half Commando H.Q. in area 5100.

Left Half to take up positions around the Road Junction 5094:

Davies' Troop: On extreme Right flank in area 4991.

Martin's Troop: In Right centre in area 4993.

Pollitt's Troop: In Left centre in area 5094.

Davidson's Troop: On Left flank in area 5295.

Marshall's Troop: In reserve in area 4895 overlooking road.

Headquarters: In a position overlooking Road Junction at 4996.

All Troops and H.Qs. to move independently and to assist each other where possible when in position.

COMMUNICATION

1 x No. 18 Set W/T and Signal personnel to be attached to each Troop and both H.Qs.  Each Half to be allotted different frequencies but Control Sets at each H.Q. to come up on each other's frequency when required.  All Ranks to use semaphore for Sub-Section, Section, Troop and individual communication.  It was considered that runners could not be used as country was too rough and danger of observation by enemy too great.

Communication with 36 Brigade was considered impossible owing to the distance, country, and unavailability of powerful enough W/T Set which if available would be too heavy to land or transport across country.

4 - EXECUTION OF PLAN

(See Troop Commanders' Reports attached.)

5 - ATTAINMENT OF OBJECTS

1.  Road Junction 5094 was occupied until D.3. when a German armoured column composed of 3 Armoured Cars, 2 Tanks and 3 Lorry loads of Infantry put in an attack from the West.

2.  Road Junction 5796 was occupied throughout D.1. when enemy attack by A.F.Vs. and Infantry forced a withdrawal into the hills.  After the tactical withdrawal it was still covered from the hills until D.2.

3.  The Road between Road Junction 5094 - Road Junction 5796 was denied to the enemy until D.3.

4.  All transport was destroyed which amounted to 1 Motor-cycle Combination with 4 men.  One Motor-cycle Combination was allowed to proceed hoping it was leading a convoy.

5.  The enemy was harried for 3 days and he was forced to draw on his reserves and to detach a force to counter the threat on his flank and rear.

6.  The Commando occupied and dominated throughout 3 days the area between 47-62 Eastings and from the road to the Sea inclusive, during which time one Troop exploited to within 6 Kilometers of BIZERTE; which included the aerodrome SIDI AHMED 6700.

By dawn the whole Commando had advanced some 5 miles inland, without making any contact with the enemy or with the local inhabitants.  Their objectives now lay before them, on the far side of the range: the road junction (5094) where the main route from Bizerte to Mateur round the Northern shores of Garaet Achkel is joined by a Secondary route which runs Westwards some two and a half to three miles South of the coast: the road junction 5 miles to the East of it (5796) at Douar Faroudja: and the road which runs between them.  These they held, the former for three days with a small detachment that required an enemy column of three armoured cars, two tanks, and three lorry loads of infantry to dislodge them:  the latter for one day.  After a tactical withdrawal from the latter it was covered from the hills for a further 24 hours.

From now until three days later the Commando not only dominated this area and denied the use of the road to the enemy, but they sent a Troop to keep under continuous observation the aerodrome at Sidi Ahmed, about 7 miles to the North East of Douar Faroudja.  During those three days the Command also occupied an area of some 125 square miles, inside which they moved with complete freedom; and were able to destroy any enemy transport attempting to use the road between 5094 and 5796.  Those were the immediate and tangible factors of the operation, but in addition the Commando forced the enemy to draw on his reserves and to detach what may properly by assumed to have been a substantial force to counter the threat to his flank and rear.

All this was accomplished in the face of considerable topographical difficulties, none of which could have been suspected from a preliminary study of available maps.

Near the roads the country is open and easily accessible to tanks, but only in their immediate neighborhood.  Off the road the Commando were able to advance only about 2 miles in every hour during the hours of daylight, and half that rate at night.  The hills and valleys in the area of the operations are covered with Mediterranean heather, rising to a height of at least 7 feet.  Higher up the mountains the scrub is lower but the going is no less difficult.  Often the easiest method of progression is to imitate the goat and move on hands and knees, for these animals, which roam the hills in profusion, have forced their own tracks through the undergrowth.  What tracks for human beings the country does provide are hard to find even on a large scale map, and normal movement is difficult without the aid of a local guide.

Trustworthy guides are hard to find, for there is no fixed local political orientation: some Arabs are extremely friendly to the Commando, some pointed out their positions to the enemy.  Some Italians at an outlying farm showed great kindness to our wounded men, and one Troop Commander reports that he was informed that the Germans had shot three Frenchmen who had given food to our men.  The Germans themselves almost certainly disguise some of their men as Arabs; and one German was shot wearing French uniform, as was one who appeared in the green beret of the Commando and a British gas cape and called upon Capt. Craven's Troop to surrender.

The main enemy position encountered lay a short way back from the road junction 5094, and appeared to be fairly well concealed.  Its machine gun nests were sighted to give good enfilade fire, and it also disposed of some 2-pounders on concealed tracks.  Fire was withheld until the Commando forces were well within an organized network of machine gun fixed lines.

This position was most closely approached by two Troops, those of Capt. Davidson and Capt. Pollitt.  Both Troops reached approximate positions in the early afternoon and detached parties to form road blocks with heavy stones and whatever else they could find to do the work.  On the following afternoon an enemy motorcycle.  At the end of D.3. the Commando withdrew in its own time down the road to CAP SERRAT, investigating the enemy's Right flank during the process.

INFORMATION

(a) TOPOGRAPHICAL:

The country covered by the Commando is very different to that portrayed by the map.  Near the Road the country is open and fairly good tank country.  Movement off the road is difficult but possible.  Rate of advance 1 M.P.H. at night and 2 M.P.H. by day (not using tracks).  The hills and valleys are covered with Mediterranean heather, low bush and high bush.  Tracks are hard to find from the map and it is advisable to have a local guide.  Streams are mainly dry but there is plenty of water available in wells, again local knowledge is preferable.

Coast:  The coast is difficult, many beaches impracticable owing to surf, with strong Westerly swell.

Movement:  Movement is facilitated by getting into the hills where the scrub is shorter.

Roads:  The main road between the Road Junctions was the equivalent of second-class English roads with room for two lines of slow moving traffic.  Road to CAP SERRATT was passable to tracked vehicles of carrier type and if repaired suitable for single line traffic.

(b) LOCAL INHABITANTS

The local inhabitants’ attitude and behaviour can most easily be explained by their own saying that they were "Amis Toute la Monde".  Many instances were provided of Arabs being exceptionally friendly and useful, but on several occasions Arabs definitely were hostile.  Arabs on three known occasions deliberately gave away our positions and pointed them out to the enemy.  Some of the Arabs were in all probability disguised Germans and Italians.  Great kindness and even food was given to the wounded by some Italians at an outlying farm.  One German was also shot wearing French uniform.

(c) ENEMY

a - Static Positions:  Any positions encountered are shown on attached map.  They appeared to be fairly well concealed M.G. nests sited to give good enfilade.  Some small two pounder guns on tracks are concealed ready to move where required.  Fire is held until our forces are well inside a well organised network of M.G. fixed lines.

b - Composition of Mobile Column:  The enemy mobile columns which were sent out to combat the threat of the Commando were organised on the following lines:

 

            Armoured Cars             2 - 3 as point section.

            Lorry-borne infantry      2 - 2 lorry loads.

            Medium Tanks              2 - 3

c - Use of Arabs:  The enemy made use of Arabs as guides and it was suspected that they were disguising themselves in Arab dress.

d - L. of C.:  Capt. Bradford's Troop which exploited to the East reported a large convoy of about 100 vehicles composed of supply lorries with A.F.V. protection and fighter aircraft cover, moving S.W. from BIZERTE.  As this column did not come through the road dominated by the Commando, it is deduced that the enemy's L. of C. must be along the road which runs due south from Road Junction at 6501.

e - Personnel:  The only enemy positively identified were a Corporal from a L.A.A. Regiment and G.A.F. officer and Corporal.  During the operation, on at least one occasion the enemy adopted the distinctive Commando head-dress a British Cape A.G. taken from a Commando casualty in order to delude our own troops into thinking that they were friendly.

f - Air Forces:  Throughout the operation the main BIZERTE aerodrome situated at SIDI AHMED was under observation.  Fairly dense enemy air activity was observed on the aerodrome which included D.1.  14 bombers arriving from North East picking up fighter escort over the aerodrome and moving away eastwards.  On D.1., D.2. and D.3. 20 large transport planes with fighter cover landed on the aerodrome at approximately 1100 hrs. each day.  Fighter aircraft were stationed on the aerodrome.

The Troop which exploited to the aerodrome area discovered that very large enemy forces including A.F.Vs. made up the ground defences.  This is confirmed by local reports.

Throughout the operation, German Fighter planes flew very low over the Commando area but failed, with one exception, to discover Troop positions.

7 - CASUALTIES

The following casualties were suffered during the operation:

British Troops:              4 Officers         56 Other Ranks

American Troops:         2 Officers         72 Other Ranks

                                                            ________________________

           

                                    6 Officers           128 Other Ranks

                                                            ________________________

Wounded and removed to hospital 4 Other Ranks (British).

 

 

 

1 Commando, Troop reports Op Bizerte Dec 1942

No. 1 Commando:  Operation Bizerte

Appendix 1:  December 1942

Troop Commanders reports

Authors:  Various

Copy of original document supplied by:  John Mewett

Transcribed by:  Jennie Barlow

NA Document ….no Ref Number

TROOP COMMANDERS' REPORTS

Lt. D.H. Cowap (Capt. Morgan's Troop)

Bad landing; wireless set drowned and we had no W/T communication for the whole operation.  Left beach 0245 hrs. on D.1.

At first light found ourselves at pt. 510014.  Carried on and heard firing from area 545965 and assumed it to be Lieut. Holt's Troop which was on our left.  Started up valley leading to high ground 573980 and heard firing to our Right which was coming over our heads.  Sent out recce parties to our Right, found enemy firing at Capt. Bradford's Troop on our Left.

At about 1100 hrs. going up forward slope came under concentrated mortar fire which appeared to be from a good way off (1000 yards).  Had two casualties here before getting out of range.

At 1130 hrs. runner came from Lt. Thompson's Troop to say that it had been fired upon and had had to keep their heads down from 0900 to 1100 hrs. in same area as that in which we had been mortared.  Capt. Morgan and I climbed on to ridge and found we had got almost exactly to the right spot at pt. 577988.  Owing to no scrub and very open country it was quite impossible to go down forward slope in daylight.

At about 1400 hrs. saw one sand-coloured 30-cwt and motor-cycle travelling down road from FERRYVILLE in Westerly direction.  Got Troop to dig slit trenches and it was about 1500 hrs. that Lt. Petty told us that Capt. Bradford was on our Left and owing to nature of ground was withdrawing to higher ground, and we also decided to withdraw to the hills where there was some scrub.

At about 1700 hrs. on D.1. I heard fire and saw enemy carrier with what appeared to be a 2-pounder gun.  I ran back to try and get somewhere near the position and saw that a light tank was blazing away directly into the slit trenches, and one of my L.M.Gs. was put out of action immediately.  My other Bren gunner did very well and kept tank back enabling No. 2. Section to withdraw, which they accomplished.  The Light Tank came up directly in the setting sun and hit the tank but seemed to have no effect.  By this time Capt. Morgan had been killed and his last words were "Tell No. 2. Section to get back and the other to give covering fire".

Pte. Williams 83 kept up accurate L.M.G. fire and apparently wiped out enemy Section trying to get Machine gun into position, so that enemy machine gun never actually got firing.  L/Sgt. Jones saw four lorry loads of enemy infantry come slightly off the road and unload as it was getting dark.

I took remainder of Troop back to position 543985 which took about 4 hours, arriving there about 2400 hrs.  Sent out a patrol to find Troop signalers; and get maps etc. off Capt. Morgan.  Lt. Kiaer and his Section withdrew on Capt. Morgan's orders.

At 1100 hrs. on D.2. Capt. Craven's Troop started to come through, which I followed, and joined Left Half H.Q.  I remained attached to Capt. Craven's Troop throughout the remainder of the Operation.

Lieut. A.J. Davies (Capt. Bradford's Troop)

We were second Troop off beach and marched on bearing of 135 degrees and at first light arrived in area 545995, but discovered we had another three hills to cover before arriving at our position overlooking road half-way between Road Junctions.  Capt. Morgan came up to tell us their position and all that they had seen.

We moved back to White Building with 8 or 10 men from Lt. Thompson's Troop, where we arrived at about 1500 hrs.  After about half an hour, we saw the German A.F.V. and after 20 mins. a Sgt. and two men from Capt. Morgan's Troop came up and told us that their Troop had been heavily engaged on the hill and that Capt. Morgan was killed.

A wireless message was received to attack the aerodrome with Capt. Craven's Troop.

Left White House at 1700 hrs. to R.V. with Capt. Craven's Troop at approx. 0100 hrs.  We left the R.V., not having seen Craven's Troop and continued on the road towards BIZERTE.  Moved from position leaving certain men who were incapacitated and wireless men.  Could not find Capt. Craven's Troop.  The men were tired after moving across ploughed clay.

We came up on to road at 630005 and cut telephone wires, using the wire as trip wire.  At road junction 655012 there were slit trenches in very bad state of repair (milestones indicated this to be 6 Km. from BIZERTE).  Again cut wire and put up trip wire.

Having seen no enemy activity we started back and lay up night at about 0430 hrs. in a position in hedgerow.  At about 0600 hrs. when we had rested we could see we were at pt. 603990.  Capt. Bradford decided that the Troop would cross the open country in twos and threes towards the hills.  About three quarters of the Troop had got across when some Frenchmen on the South side started firing - these Frenchmen were west of the farmhouse we were making for.  On the Left there was spasmodic firing (the supposed Frenchmen were Germans wearing French uniform).

I went up into the hills where I met T.S.M. Coleman and he told me he thought Lt. Petty was killed, and that he and a Medical Orderly had left the hedgerow and when about 600 yards away saw 6 or 8 Germans throw grenades and saw Lt. Petty and his batman fall, then his batman rise with hands up and pointing to the ground apparently where Lt. Petty was lying.  The Germans then threw a further three Grenades at Lt. Petty.

I took the Troop to the Troop R.V. White House, which was about half a mile further on.  It appeared that 6 men who had gone round the Left flank were captured by the Germans.  Capt. Bradford turned up after about half an hour and gave orders for the Troop to rest for about two hours.

At about 1000 hrs. on D.2. whilst proceeding to White House, I saw a convoy of about 200 vehicles moving up the road at pt. 590970 and proceeding S.W.  There were motor-cycle combinations and about 10 large trucks moving close, together and slowly.

At about 1700 hrs, the first bullet hit the White House and the firing continued for about 10 minutes.  Capt. Bradford sent me round to the back of the house to see where it was coming from, but I could see nothing.  Just afterwards Capt. Bradford came round himself and was hit.  He could not move his legs and L/Cpl. Tuffy (Medical Orderly) attended to him.  I gave orders that Capt. Bradford was to be evacuated and that covering fire was to be given.  A stretcher was made out of two rifles and toggle ropes, and we attempted to get to a ridge but Capt. Bradford died on the way up and we buried him there.  The last words spoken by Capt. Bradford were "Tell Mr. Davies to get the men away from this position" spoken to Medical Orderly.

On Thursday morning D.3. we withdrew over the hills and found ourselves near the beach where we had landed.  From there we travelled along the coast to CAP SERRAT where a friendly Frenchman provided two meals for 64 men (i.e. ourselves and 16 men from Capt. Davidson's Troop).

Capt. J. Craven

We landed at 0300 hrs. and those who landed first got a bad landing, but the others only got wt to their waists.

We moved away on a bearing of 162 degrees and arrived at position of RIGHT HALF Commando H.Q. at about 1000 hrs, staying in this position during D.1.  Saw nothing until about 1400 hrs. when we observed people coming from the S.W. and it turned out to be Capt. Davidson's Troop.

Received orders to contact Capt. Bradford and with him, attack aerodrome (BIZERTE) or other enemy positions in that area.

We made a very good pace and did not stop until just before it got dark.  I could not get any information either from Commando H.Q. or Capt. Bradford's Troop by our wireless.

We waited from 2000 to 2100 hrs. but saw no sign of Capt. Bradford's Troop so we moved back to area 603014.  Reached dry river bed at about 2200 hrs. and rested there until 0200 hrs.  Capt. Bradford still did not show up so in the morning I decided it was no use us staying there and went back to where Capt. Bradford should have been.

Reached position 575975 where we were on top of forward slope of hill with a little scrub for cover.  I then took Troop farther down to look for better cover but found none, and at about 0600 hrs. on D.2. told the men to get into position on side of hill.

On hill Pt. 565975 (marked 127) we could see some people moving about and I decided to love my position and sent out a Section under Lieut. Davison to find who was on this hill.

Everything seemed alright when a man appeared wearing Green Beret and Gas Cape and asked Lt. Davison to surrender.  I saw 20 people come up behind us and was just waiting for the reports to come when the battle opened up.

I sent Lt. Turnbull on the right flank.  Lt. Davison's Section was firing back, and I moved across the open ground on the left flank myself. Machine Gun fire opened up at about 300 yards away and I decided to bring No. 2. Section back when I noticed an enemy A.F.V. was also firing as us, though this did us no damage.  I told Lt. Davison to carry on giving covering fire.  Then the enemy reported in the rear came up and I placed No. 2 Section in position to counter this, and I thought I was now in a good position.  Lt. Turnbull shouted that he was held up, and shell firing started, so I decided to withdraw.  Myself and 17 men got over the hill and Lt. Davison and Lt. Turnbull withdrew from what apparently must have been a trap.

At dawn on D.2. I was ordered to set off to Left Half H.Q.  Arrived there just about 1400 hrs. when the battle on road had just started.

From then on I came under Major Trevor's command and moved that evening with Left Half H.Q.

Sgt. Scissons (Lt. Holt's Troop)

We landed at approx 0315 hrs. in the centre.  The water was waist high.  Our position was to be on the right flank of the Right Half near 5595.  It was rough going most of the way with high scrub.

At 0730 we contacted Left Half H.Q. who shouted to us that we were too much over to the West.  We immediately went directly East.  We came over a high range of hills.  The head of the Troop were 75 yards from a building near the road in a valley when we heard aircraft and had stopped.  We heard no sound of firing or encountered any enemy or own Troops.  A Machine Gun opened fire from this building and must have hit some men as I heard men shouting for the Medical Orderly (time 1100 hours D.1.).  On our Right flank on a ridge about 50 to 75 yards away were German T.S.M.G's.  After the first few volleys a 3" Mortar opened up.  The head of the column had opened fire and we bagged the T.M.S.Gs.  We were pinned down and I withdrew under cover to try a flanking movement.  We went back 150 yards and crawled across the ground.  On reaching a hill north of the T.S.M.G. position I had only four men with me.  We were on the opposite side of the hill to the bridge and I ordered three men to go around the left side of the hill, and myself and one man went round the other side.  One of the three men on the left side was killed by T.S.M.G.  I shouted to the men on the left side of the hill to withdraw and I would cover them.  Before I withdrew myself I was able to shoot one T.S.M.G. as he tried to fire at the three men withdrawing.  Four of us were now left.  The rest of the Troop were still down in the valley and were machine gunned from the air.  I decided to withdraw to higher ground and contact another Troop.  We had not gone far when we were fired on again by T.S.M.G.  We found a good piece of cover and awaited darkness.  While we were there about 1500 hours another Troop came into the position (Capt. Davidson's).

At 18.15 hours we moved and travelled 2 miles towards Right Half H.Q. and got a sleep in a good position until 0530 hrs. D.2.  We moved on D.2. North West and contacted Pollitt's Troop at 0700 hrs.  We remained with him during D.2. until he took us to Martin's Troop in the evening.

During withdrawal on D.3. we joined the reserve Troop (Marshall's).

Note:  The Arabs in our first position on D.1. were pointing out our position to the enemy.

S/Sjt. McFarland (Lt. Thompson's Troop)

We landed at 0215 hrs. about the centre of the flotilla.  We had to wade with water up to our armpits.  We were to take up a position in Left Centre.  Our route was generally South.  The route was rough going crossing many hills covered with scrub waist high.  We reached a hill at 5102 and thought we were close to the main road.  Lieut. Thompson ordered me to move to the Right and take up a position, one Sub-section covering the road and one Sub-section in our rear.  From this time I never saw Lieut. Thompson or the other Section again.

1000 hrs. D.1. I started down the valley with my Section and realised I was a long way from the road.  When I got a position where the river runs North and South (5400) I heard shooting on our Right front about 1 mile away.  I continued on my route toward my position and got about half a mile S.E. from the river when we were fired on by two machine guns and Snipers.  Nobody was hit.  We carried on and the firing ceased.  We shortly afterwards met Morgan's Troop who were under fire at that time.  We thought firing came from Lt. Holt's Troop in error.  Capt. Morgan thought so also.  We carried on to our position at 5998 and found Capt. Bradford's Troop there.  We took up our position in conjunction with Bradford's Troop.  This was about 1530 hrs. D.1.  I gave the order for the men to cover the road.  One motor-cycle passed from West to East but we let it go through.  A car came along the road from BIZERTE containing two officers? and one corporal.  They stopped opposite our positions.  The German came up to our position and started firing on one of these sub-sections.  He was shot.  He was searched and his papers retained and have been handed in.  The two Officers turned and escaped in their car.  Capt. Bradford called me over and told me he was moving back three quarters of a mile, into a new position.  He gave me the option of staying with him and attacking the aerodrome or returning to find Lt. Thompson.  I decided to look for Lt. Thompson (1730 hrs. D.1.).

At 1800 hrs. Capt. Bradford's Troop departed and we remained with five men of Capt. Bradford's Troop who had been left behind.  We could see fighting near the road on our right so we decided to withdraw further into the hills where we spent the night.

D.2.  We tried to contact our own Troop without success during the day.  We spent the night further to the West.

D.3.  Withdrew along the road to Cap Serrat, where we picked up four men from Capt. Davis's Troop and reached R.J. CAP SERRAT at 1000 hrs:  D.4.

Our rations were 1 Tin of bully, 1 packet of biscuits, tea, chocolate and cigarettes.  We bought eggs and chickens from the Arabs.

We carried            200 rounds per T.S.M.G.

                                1000 rounds per B.A.R.

                               48 rounds per rifleman

We expended 30 rounds.

Capt. Davidson

Approached march similar to Capt. Pollitt's Troop.  Parted from Capt. Pollitt in sq. (5197) as we had to travel farther East.  We worked down to Pt. 524958 where we found we had a very good view of the road from the corner Westwards, and we placed our sniper there with telescope, which was about 1030 hrs. on D.1.  We took up position at 523954.  Heard firing on our left which we took to be Lt. Holt's Troop as we understood that his was the next Troop on our flank.  We noticed that there is a ridge (not shown on map) running practically along the grid 95 which was actually higher than the one we were on.  I thought it would be a good thing if we pushed on, and at about 1130 hrs. an Arab rushed down waving his arms and two machine guns opened up on our left front from Pt. 527950.  We immediately got down and L/Cpl. Rogers opened fire with Bren, but was hit and knocked out and his gun put out of action.  I called out to the Section Sergeants to work their men back.  I gave the order to withdraw in a North West direction and most of the men started working themselves in this direction while exchanging fire with the enemy.  An armoured car started working up from the road at Pt. 524947 and opened fire with heavy and light Machine Guns at 500 yards range, and most of the Troop headed due north into the hills as all of the lines of withdrawal were dangerous.  I eventually got to 523955 with about half my H.Q. Section.  The Mortar man laid three smoke bombs which he had, but the wind was not favourable.  I knew that approximately 20 men did get over the brow of the hill and the smoke helped a few more.

We R.V'd. at Pt. 517997 and there were 27 men, apparently all the men who remained were in exposed positions and could not move.  Lt. Gardner-Jones got out of the positions at 1600 hrs. and Lt. Gardner at 1500 hrs.  The Sergeant Major in charge of part of the Troop apparently failed to find Commando H.Q. and found themselves so far back in the hills that they could see the stranded A.L.C.'s. on the beach, and so they made their way back along the coast to CAP SERRAT (Commando R.V.).  All the men extricated themselves safely.

Lt. Gardner during his withdrawal to CAP SERRAT was told that three Frenchmen had been shot by the Germans for supplying food to the British Troops.

At about 11.00 hrs. on D.1. I had seen what I took to be M.T. Vehicles burning with a pale grey smoke at Pt. 490910.

Capt. Davies

Landed at 0300 hrs. in Left Flank boat.  Got ashore practically all together and were first away from the beach.  Marched on compass course of 180 degrees.  Very bad country and estimated speed was one mile per hour.  It was about 0830 hrs. before we definitely knew our position 5096.  Found Marshall and Left Half H.Q.  Lt. Marshall moved off immediately to his position.  There was no traffic of any kind on the road.  Crossed river bed and under bridge (not shown on map) and came to what I thought was one mile behind our position at 1500 hrs.

Moved just before dusk to (495925).  Party on road to act as road block.

My H.Q. was within 200 yards of road.  Lt. Martin on my right whom I contacted early on D.2.  Nothing happened except some firing from area East of our position.

In the afternoon of D.2. enemy Motor Cycle came through and I let it go under the impression that Capt. Pollitt was still in his position.  Later received message we were to deal with everything on road as Martin and I were the only Troops actually on the road at the time.

Just before dusk received message to close on river bridge 4993 and just at dusk took up position, with one section on road.  Late that night another enemy motor cycle came down the road (German pilot of the Afrika Corps who was quite definitely drunk and who gave information that an attack was coming from the BIZERTE direction, he said that New Zealanders cut prisoners throats).

During next day D.3. Lt. Martin took over my prisoner and placed him with other prisoner in house.

Around 1400 hrs. fire was opened from cover of woods.

Enemy gun and Machine gun fire on our road position from about 600 yards range, was pretty accurate.  Reported that four coloured armoured cars were approaching and I saw two eight wheeled sand coloured armoured cars.  As situation became rather critical I went right flanking and the enemy apparently did the same.  We did this three times and each time the enemy did so too.  One of my patrols reported that Germans now occupied position 4993.  A rifleman reported, which was quite true, that an enemy tank was coming in over the hill (this tank was about 500 yards range and was in the scrub about hull down so that I could just see the gun turret and two men's heads.  Tank was directed to us by Arabs).  Reported tank to H.Q. and received order to withdraw one mile in direction of river - saw another tank come over the hill so withdrew to 474930.

At 1330 hrs. received orders to withdraw a further three miles and then break off action.  I arrived in open space as it was getting dark so decided to take up position at 453957 where we lay up for the night.

(D.4.)  Withdrew a further three miles West and contacted Marshall's Troop at 413962.  Then received orders to withdraw to White House 390947.

               Our rations lasted three days without outside aid.  Wireless still working well.

               Lay up on fifth night in area 380940 with Marshall and Martin's Troop.

               Arrived crossroads at 1430 hrs. on D.5.

Capt. Pollitt

Arrived on beach and were third boat to the right.  Bad landing.  Moved off together with Capt. Davidson's Troop.  Hard going but did not stop until we arrived in area 5197.  On way up Arabs reported that there were Germans in their village but Capt. Davidson could not find any.  Arrived R.V. between 0900 and 1000 hrs.  One section searched Arab villages in area.

Whole Troop halted at 514957 and I went forward with party on to road to make reconnaissance of the area.  One section took up position facing BIZERTE.  Number 2 Section went down forward slope.  At 506944 put road block (heavy stones etc).

Heard considerable firing from the Left flank but could see nothing.  Firing went on and I saw some Mortar smoke, but patrol could not find anything.  Could not get into wireless communication with Capt. Davison's Troop on Left flank.  Remained here until nearly dark.  Moved back into area 951514 and had something to eat, leaving one section in position overlooking the road blocks.

After dark this Section withdrew and was replaced by a patrol which saw nothing.  On D.2. received order to recce. area on my left (Capt. Davidson's).  Acting on information from one of Capt. Davidson's men we moved eastwards and saw enemy on hill 523936.  Found that three of four probable enemy machine gun posts were on right flank and decided to attack them at night.  As Troop had had no rest with withdrew about one mile into the hills and I gave orders for everyone to feed and take rest, as we would attack at night.  Just then orders came through for us to attack valley at 2000 hrs.  Later received fresh orders that we had to harry the enemy in Area 5295.  Stood to all night as information was that an attack was expected, and we watched road very carefully as we did not know whether or not the Right Half were coming through our Area.

Remained in position on D.3. and sent out one patrol to see that there was no infiltration by the enemy.  Suddenly enemy A.F.V's. reported coming up from South West.

One Section proceeded to area 9653, leaving One Section in position;  enemy armoured vehicles opened fire on them.  Section withdrew and took up a position about a quarter of a mile back parallel to road.  We saw the eight wheeled armoured cars come down road and open shell and machine fire.  These were fired on by our L.M.G's. and riflemen with A.P.  We withdrew to area 512954.  The idea was to go back into that area to search for a wounded man, find an Anti-tank rifle, and see if the area was occupied.  We withdrew and decided to go in again at night.  Our position was 505966.  One Section was still out sniping.  No wireless communication with H.Q. so got through from Marshall's Troop that H.Q. were withdrawing at 1745 hrs. and acting on instructions we withdrew on the main road at 2100 hrs. patrols going down the road to try and contact enemy.

On D.4. moved to R.V. 416962.  Moved a further three miles west where we met Major Trevor at 0730 hrs. and withdrew further as ordered.  In Area 507945 we found there were enemy weapon pits.

On D.1. we had seen three four - ten lorries coming down road from East and turning back along the road to BIZERTE.

The L.M.G. which covered Left flank expended about 150 rounds of A.P. ammunition, and it did stop the leading armoured car after about half a magazine had been fired.

The Troop expended about 250 rounds of ammunition.

Average man had two tins of stew, half tin of bully, three bars of chocolate and two packets of biscuits.

Lieut. Martin

Landed on sand bar fourth boat from right.  Got tangled with No. 6 Troop and were fourth troop from last to move off from beach.

Marched on a bearing of 190 degrees.  At 0900 hrs. in position on peak overlooking main road.  Rested from 0900 hrs. to 1100 hrs.  From then until 1500 hrs. moved to position 92 and 48 grid line.  Here I made a dump of surplus ammunition as the Troop had been carrying about 9000 to 10000 rounds.

During first night no activity by enemy or ourselves.  At 0400 hrs. sent patrol to Right of Capt. Davis's Troop.  At 0700 hrs. moved into position 92 and 49.5 grid.  Found some natural trenches and improved them during the morning.  One Section East of cross roads 94.5 and 50.5 and the other Section just across the bridge and they kept in position during the afternoon.

Just before dark a motor-cycle with 3 men in it came by and one of the B.A.R's shot it up - killed two and seriously wounded one.

Stood to all night expecting an attack by enemy.

On the morning of D.3. in same position and the food situation was bad.  Firing occurred on right, apparently from the hill overlooking Capt. Davis' position.  Not very heavy to start with (few automatics and rifle fire).

Drew one sub-section from South side to Northwest side of road on information from Capt. Davis' Troop that German tanks or armoured vehicles were in the vicinity.  Withdrew a further 200 yards North side of road because of withdrawal of other Troop on right.  Left one sub-section and 2 B.A.R's. in trench and when tank appeared these opened fire, and drew return fire.

I do not think we did any damage to the enemy as the A.P. ammunition was fired at about 800 yards range.

Our radio was practically done and consequently had difficulty in getting proper message about the withdrawal.  Discovered we were to withdraw at 1845 hrs. to a position about three miles West into the hills.

At 2400 hours we stopped at 96.8 and 47.8 Grid, and at the first light on D.4. continued to withdraw by picking up track of other Troops in front.  Just before noon met Capt. Davies' and Lt. Marshall's Troops in area 96.2 and 41.3.

All three radios were more or less not working but we gathered that H.Q. were waiting for us at White House.

Rested until about 1600 hrs. and then moved two or three miles Westwards where rations arrived.

Next day, D.5. moved to Cross Roads.

Total expenditure of ammunition about 80 rounds.

On average each man took 2 tins of sardines, 3 bars of chocolate and half-packet of biscuits,

Lt. Marshall

Made wet landing 0300 hrs. re-organised on beach and moved off at about 0325 hrs.

Marched on a bearing of 180 degrees, arriving at Pt. 503974 at 0920 hrs. where I contacted Major Trevor and was ordered to hold the Troop.  My men ate at this time and had first rest.

At about 0900 hrs. received instructions to move my Troop to Pt. 485958 and await further instructions.  Reached position shortly before 1200 hrs. at which time there was an unidentified sand-coloured car on the road some 800 yards to our front.  It pulled away before anyone could be sent forward.

Position organised in afternoon, outposts established and patrol put on road to stop any vehicles.

First night quiet with active patrolling and listening posts in area.

Marched that night to SEDJENANE arriving at 2230 hours.

Ammunition expended - NIL.

Rations lasted through the fourth day.

'French coast - Operation Farenheit'

Date commenced: 
Wednesday, November 11, 1942

An overnight intelligence gathering raid on a signals station on the French coast at Pointe de Plouézec. The raiding force set out from Dartmouth harbour on board MTB 344, commanded by Lt. Cdr. Freddie Bourne RN and crew, accompanied by a small number of commandos who used a Dory to land.
Officers included Major Geoffrey Appleyard, Captain's Peter Kemp and Captain Oswald Rooney. Commando NCO's included amongst others Sgt Sam Brodison, Sgt. Barry, and LCpl Ellis Howells.

IWM Interview with the CO of MTB 344 - Lt Cdr. Frederick William Parnell BOURNE.

Bordeaux - Operation Frankton

Date commenced: 
Monday, December 7, 1942

Operation Frankton  was a raid on shipping in the port of Bordeaux which was under German occupation. Often wrongly associated with being undertaken by serving Commandos, it was in fact carried out by a select group of Royal Marines who were designated as the Royal Marine Boom Patrol Detachment or RMBPD, operating under the command of Combined Operations.
 
The Marines, led by Major Herbert 'Blondie' Hasler (Catfish),  were transported to the Gironde Estuary by submarine being dropped off on the 7th December 1942 to make the remainder of the the journey by canoes known as Cockles. The operation concluded on the 12th December 1942.
 
Follow this link to view photos of the Memorial at le Verdon.
 
There is also a memorial at RM Poole dedicated to all who took part.
 
Follow this link to hear an interview with Mne William Edward 'Bill' Sparks (Catfish) who took part in the raid Imperial War Museum Interview
 
The Fallen
 
Portsmouth Naval Memorial
 
Lieutenant John Withers Mackinnon  (Cuttlefish)
 
Plymouth Naval Memorial
 
Marine James Conway (Cuttlefish)
Corporal Albert Frederick Laver (Crayfish)
Marine William Henry Mills (Crayfish)
Corporal George Jellicoe Sheard (Conger)
Marine David Moffatt (Conger)
Sergeant Samuel Wallace (Coalfish)
Marine Robert Ewart (Coalfish)